Were you ever a Big Brother?

[gsdx]

I was a Big Brother for a number of years to 3 boys. The first boy moved away after about a year and I was matched with another boy, but he was always so busy with other things that we got together only 2 or 3 times before we mutually split up. Finally, I was matched with my most lengthy Little Brother. He was about 5 or 6 when we were matched and we were together until he was well into his teens.

That was the most exciting and fulfilling thing I've ever done in my life and, if I were still able to be one, I would certainly do it again.

My most memorable moment occurred with my third Little Brother. One summer, I took him to Niagara Falls. On the way back, we stopped off at Canada's Wonderland (just north of Toronto) and set ourselves up in a tent in a nearby campground for the night. The owner mentioned something about "you and your son". My Little Brother was so excited. "Did you hear that!?? He called you my Dad!!"

That's about the closest I ever came to being one.

I've seen him around town a few times over the past 20 years or so and once went to one of the local bars at his invitation to listen to him sing and play guitar in the band he was in. Not my type of music, but I was pretty proud seeing him up there and knowing I had had a hand in helping him to grow from a little boy into a successful young man.

What about you? Ever been a Big Brother? Ever wanted to be one or are thinking about becoming one? (I highly recommend it. It's extremely rewarding.)

 

[kevbo]

I've thought about becoming one.

I'd do what my parents do for me: Take me to the bar!

 

[davy]

i admire people who can be good fathers or big brothers.

i though about becoming a big brother, but i realized i would make a bad big brother as i would make a bad father.

so i just volunteered time at boys and girls club to get that kick out of me.

 

[The_Reaper]

A friend of mine and his room-mate each are a big brother and big sister...

I don't think I have the patience for it, to be honest. That, and I don't get along well with most children in occasions. I admire those who can, but it's probably not the best thing for me.

I'm better off being a benefactor and just contributing money and such.

 

[chatolandia]

I would love to, if I could get them to clean my house and make a decent martini...



In all seriousness, I can barely stand my friends' kids, so I don't think I would be a good fit

although I do volunteer doing fundraising events for a Homeless Shelter for women and children

 

[hazaleyez1975]

I think I would do ok as long as I could take them back after being with them for a while.

 

[Kester]

Not exactly a "Big Brother", but at school when I was in year 12, I was a 'mentor' to a year 7 kid.

It was kinda cool I guess. You were just there for them if they had any issues with things, and helped get them settled into high school.

 

[mojoe54]

I was a big brother to my three younger sisters. Both of my parents worked full-time and my sisters have told me that as far as they were concerned I was the person who raised them. I have three older siblings, too, but they had jobs and were never around.

 

[cyclops35]

I was a Big Brother for a number of years to 3 boys. The first boy moved away after about a year and I was matched with another boy, but he was always so busy with other things that we got together only 2 or 3 times before we mutually split up. Finally, I was matched with my most lengthy Little Brother. He was about 5 or 6 when we were matched and we were together until he was well into his teens.

That was the most exciting and fulfilling thing I've ever done in my life and, if I were still able to be one, I would certainly do it again.

My most memorable moment occurred with my third Little Brother. One summer, I took him to Niagara Falls. On the way back, we stopped off at Canada's Wonderland (just north of Toronto) and set ourselves up in a tent in a nearby campground for the night. The owner mentioned something about "you and your son". My Little Brother was so excited. "Did you hear that!?? He called you my Dad!!"

That's about the closest I ever came to being one.

I've seen him around town a few times over the past 20 years or so and once went to one of the local bars at his invitation to listen to him sing and play guitar in the band he was in. Not my type of music, but I was pretty proud seeing him up there and knowing I had had a hand in helping him to grow from a little boy into a successful young man.

What about you? Ever been a Big Brother? Ever wanted to be one or are thinking about becoming one? (I highly recommend it. It's extremely rewarding.)

Hey GSDX
On behalf of little brothers thanks for making a difference in a young boys life. While growing up I had 2 big brothers, one was a cop. I had meny over nighters and outings with and was around 5 yrs old. The most vivid memories I have were when he was at St Josephs Hospital recoving from being shot several times. We had lost contact for sometime, when I was 13 I had reconected with him and when camping a few times over that summer. Unfortunately my life took a different direction and I lost contact again, but never did I forget him.
3 years ago I tryed to find him again through is ex-wife only to find out that he passed away due to cancer.
The second Big Brother lasted for 6 months maybe, even though he took me to do lots of things. Movie's, bowling, wonderland, family dinners and swimming, he tried to teach me how to play guitar. We end the big and little brother relationship. I've never tryed to find him, I did one day run into his wife at Yorkdale Mall only to find out they were divorced.

It's pretty cool that your little brother invited you out to see him sing a perform with his band. Are you still a big brother?