CHAPTER 6

         She didn’t wait for Itznot’s time to be over. She went into Exact’s room and picked up the baby. “Momma’s here. It’s okay now,” she consoled Exact as she changed the diaper.

         When Papa came through the door with Itznot over his shoulder, he found Momma in the living room with County, Bus, and Exact.

         “Here we have been, running ourselves ragged, trying to make things equal for all of our children,” she began. “Ever since we listened to the first ‘It’s not fair!’ we have been changing our actions, afraid that our children might think we love them less than someone else. And all we have gotten as a result is unhappy and fussy children.

       “This isn’t working,” she proclaimed, “and I know why!”

         “Why?” asked a confused Papa, still holding a struggling Itznot. “We don’t want our children to think we’re not fair,” he said.

         “Because..."Equal does NOT equal Fair!!!”

         “If we treat everyone equally we ignore the fact that people are unique.

         “Should we feed just milk to Country? Or make him take a nap like Exact?”

         “No, Momma,” said Country, “I need more food and if I take a nap I can’t get to sleep easily at night.”

         “Should Exact be expected to feed herself?” Momma continued. “Itznot does.”

         “But Exact is still a baby. She hasn’t learned how yet.”

         “Exact-ly!”

         “Should Bus go back to wearing diapers...”

         “NO!” exclaimed an indignant Bus.

         “Right!” said Momma. “As for Itznot, should he...”

         “No!”

         “See? Each of you are different. While some of our rules are for everybody, such as no jumping off the roof, we need to treat each of you according to who you are. You are unique, not clones!

         “County Fair, Bus Fair, Itznot Fair, and Exact Fair, we love each and every one of you far more than you can imagine. Nothing will change that.” Momma was getting teary-eyed.

         “Loving you means treating each of you differently in some areas, according to how each of you are different. Sometimes it will seem unfair to you. Whether bigger portions, later hours, more attention...we must make these decisions based on what is best for you, not on what you might think as fair or equal.”