Dallas, Texas

Sitting outside on her front porch on what was becoming a scorching hot Sunday afternoon, Sue Ellen took a sip of her iced tea as she watched John Ross and Charlie playing beside each other and listened to Jenna telling her and JR another one of her entertaining but questionably accurate stories.

Laughing along with Jenna as she detailed what had gone on below deck on a yacht trip she'd taken not long after landing in Italy, she froze as she saw her son reach out and then snatch a toy from Charlie's hand as she picked it up off the ground, instinctively interrupting Jenna as she shouted, "no, John Ross, stop!"

Looking up at her, John Ross threw the colourful objects onto the floor with force, appearing to listen to her command, doing what she said, not happily though.

Unimpressed with his behaviour, she moved quickly, setting her drink down on the table between her and Jenna, walking a few steps and then kneeling down to his level, sternly telling him, "that's not nice".

Visibly startling at the tone of her voice, he was silent and still for a moment before suddenly bursting into tears.

Never happy to see her son upset, she felt terrible that it had been her that had made him feel that way, despite her only reacting to his actions. Reaching down to hug him, she managed to stand up with him in her arms, though again, apparently he didn't like that. Thrashing around, completely hysterical for no good reason, what sympathy she had for his overwhelming emotions and illogical tantrum quickly dissipated as she felt his small teeth digging into her arm.

Yelping in pain, she held him out, away from her body, reprimanding him again for his behaviour, "no! We don't hit and we don't bite, you know that".

Continuing to wail loudly, flailing in her arms, he was clearly agitated, likely not about the toys anymore, just because he was overwhelmed, and when he was like that she knew there wasn't much chance of him seeing sense without being removed from the situation.

"I think you'd better go upstairs", deliberately softening her voice, her demeanour didn't do much for John Ross, but it felt better to her than being stern with him again.

Appearing at her side, JR followed through with her intentions, scooping John Ross into his arms and heading into the house, disappearing from sight without a word.

Embarrassed and exhausted, she turned back to her guests to apologise, "I'm sorry, he knows better than that". Believing she had taught him to be more respectful than to be selfish and throw a tantrum the second he didn't get his own way, she did wonder whether she had actually done that or whether that's simply what she'd been hoping to achieve. The truth was, John Ross was doted on most of the time and while he did things sometimes that he didn't really want to do, mostly because he was still small and didn't have a say over when or what he ate, wore or did at certain times of the day, in general he was indulged by almost everyone.

"It's ok, they're his toys", looking up at her, Charlie shrugged nonchalantly.

"Yes, but he has to learn how to share", answering Jenna's daughter, she thought it was nice that she was a polite child, but it was also on her mind that John Ross' toys probably didn't interest Charlie all that much being almost six years old, so perhaps her reaction was measured. Whatever it was, although Charlie wasn't upset, John Ross' behaviour still wasn't acceptable.

Nodding, Charlie didn't say anything, returning to building what looked to be a house and a train station with the assortment of large plastic bricks and accompanying accessories.

"You have a good few years more before he learns that lesson", speaking up after staying quiet during the incident, Jenna light-heartedly responded to her comments.

"As long as he learns it eventually", sitting down again, she relaxed as it became quite clear to her that as far as judgement regarding her parenting went, there was little coming from Jenna. They were both mothers, but Jenna had a few years more experience and it was nice to hear from someone other than Miss Ellie that what she was dealing with was normal.

"I expect he'll learn quickly when he has a sibling", lowering her sunglasses, Jenna met her eye and grinned, reminding her that she was the one who'd expressed desire to have another baby soon and if that happened she was the one who'd be dealing with twice as many little challenges throughout the day.

"Right now I am glad he's an only child", admitting her feelings, she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't change her mind again, but in the moment, she was definitely glad to only have one child to parent.

Laughing, Jenna commented on her position, "you're seeing things my way".

Nodding in agreement, she murmured a quiet, "mhm", then paused for a second before explaining how she was trying to prepare John Ross for the world around him, siblings or not. "I try to teach him, but there aren't a lot of other opportunities day-to-day, John Ross is only around other kids his age a few times a month when we attend a playgroup together, and it's difficult to pull from my own experience because Kristin is thirteen years younger than me".

Listening to her, Jenna again responded with comments that comforted rather than made her feel guilty again, which was nice, "I think you're overthinking it; John Ross is young, he doesn't need to know everything immediately, you try to teach him things as they come up, and if they don't, they eventually will and he'll learn then. If it helps, I don't think Charlie learnt how to share without being asked to until she was about four".

"You're right then, we have a little while yet", appreciating Jenna's relaxed attitude to parenting and seeing the results sitting at their feet in the form of Charlie, a quiet, polite, seemingly well-adjusted little girl, she had to agree that maybe Jenna had a point and she was probably better off not worrying so much about everything.

"Trust me, there's plenty more to come and no need to rush, or do it at all if you're not completely sure, I'm an only child and I like it just fine", grinning, Jenna sounded confident in her opinion.

"I'm sure you do", considering both her and JR were hoping John Ross would have a better relationship with any future siblings than they'd experienced themselves, she didn't find it very difficult to understand that Jenna didn't mind being an only child, she was after all a lady who adored being the centre of attention and doted on herself. Personally, she didn't know what the future held, but it was nice to know that there was someone out there who could always offer a different perspective on issues like that of siblings or a second baby.

To be continued…