Disclaimer: I don't own the Golden Girls. I do watch them on TV
Sophia may have seemed like a tough old broad but truth be told as a mother she was what she called Dorothy. She was a pussycat. Dorothy could remember a particular event. She was nine and Phil had just been born. Gloria was only four.
One day as Dorothy was holding Phil Gloria walked in.
"It's not fair," she said pouting, "Momma never lets me hold the baby"
"Oh," Dorothy said, "That's just cause you're too young. She didn't let me hold you much either. Of course, she's not here now"
Sophia was there. She was watching from the other room.
"Sit down next to me Glory Sunshine"
Glory Sunshine was Gloria's nickname.
"Okay," Gloria said and sat down on the sofa.
Sophia went back to stirring the sauce but soon she heard Dorothy talking again.
"No Gloria you have to support his head… like this"
Sophia didn't say a word but went back to the other room. It wasn't that she didn't trust her younger daughter or her older one for that mater. Phil was a tiny baby and Sophia was afraid Gloria might accidentally drop him.
But what she saw was amazing. Gloria was sitting on Dorothy's lap and Dorothy had her arms supporting Gloria's arms. When the baby started to cry Gloria and Dorothy sang him an Italian lullaby. Soon Phil fell asleep and Dorothy took the baby and put him in the cradle. As soon as Gloria left to take a nap Sophia came out.
"You did good pussycat"
Dorothy looked up.
"Are you gonna get mad," Dorothy asked
"Of course not. You know I don't get mad."
Sophia sat down on the sofa next to her daughter.
"Dorothy," she said, "You're a wonderful big sister. You know how to take care of both your sister and your brother but you're still a child. When your dad and I make a rule it's to protect you and your brother and sister."
Dorothy nodded.
"I understand"
"Good. Now I need some help with dinner. You can either set the table or stir the sauce."