can you please recommend good books to read: 1. to a toddler getting a new baby brother/sister? and 2. for me to read dealing with bringing home a new baby when you have a toddler at home.
Hiya,
Siblings Without Rivalry is great!
Can't remember the author but it was very informative!
Blessings,
Deb
My daughter was exactly the same age when my son was born! We read "I'm a Big Sister" and "When You Were Inside Mommy" by Joanna Cole/ Max Chambliss. And we still read them now (she's now 4)! She really enjoyed these books, and I definitely recommend them :o)
The easiest thing to do is just got Barnes and Noble or Borders and read a couple of the books available, and choose that way - that's what I did!
As for a book for you? I have no idea :o) My one suggestion (which has worked really well for us) is to do special Toddler-Mommy time, so yours doesn't get jealous. It doesn't have to be anything special: going to the grocery store became a special treat, because it was just the two of us!
Congratulations!
Baby on the Way By Dr Sears
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Way-Sears-Children-Library/dp/...
What Baby Needs
http://www.amazon.com/What-Needs-Sears-Children-Library/d...
I'm a Big Brother (there's a sister one too) by Joanna Cole
http://www.amazon.com/Im-Big-Brother-Joanna-Cole/dp/06881...
These are our favorites. I've got an 8 and 5 year old with #3 due in June. I bought both the Sears ones for them this time. The "Big Brother" one we got for #1 when #2 was coming. #1 was 2 months away from 3 when #2 was born.
I don't know of any books with advice for mom handling adding a new child to the mix. What I did was always involve my child(ren). #1 went to every single prenatal visit for #2 and got to hear the heartbeat etc. Both of them have come to the visits for #3 and also the ultrasound. Since they are older I have been showing them books with pictures of the developing baby-sketches, ultrasounds and in utero ones. Your little one might be a little too young to get anything from that. I always make sure to make room for them when they need holding etc. I can't fit anyone on my lap but I make sure they can cuddle next to me on the couch. It's not too hard once you're doing it. My first born is very clingy and needy and there were times we were really worried that he'd loose it once he wasn't the only child and we were pleasntly surprised when he took it in stride and has been a great big brother to his little brother and he can't be happier to be getting a little sister now too. My youngest is just as excited to be a big brother now too :)
Congratulations and best of luck!
For you: "The Baby Whisperer solves all your problems by teaching you how to ask the right questions." by Tracy Hogg and Melinda Blau
Mercer Mayer has a great book called "The New Baby" which I read to my son and gave to my friend for her son when she was pregnant with #2. She in turn gave a copy to another friend of hers who was also preggers with her second. It is short and colorful. Your older child should love it.
My son was three but my friends was two.
C.
Hi,
go to www.amazon.com and type in the search word "sibling books" or, "Big Brother books", or, "big sister books."
Lots will come up AND you can read the reviews on it.
For your question #2.... you might not have time to actually read. LOL I know I didn't. BUT... a GOOD book series is "Your 2 Year Old" etc. It's a series of books on each age-set, and what they are like so the parent can understand them. You can also get it from www.amazon.com
Main thing is, to keep the routines and consistency for your eldest child....THEY are ALSO having to get used to "having a baby." Stability is best for them and TONS of understanding for what they are going through. LOTS of one on one time, when you can do that... and letting them express themselves even if they are having grumpy or happy feelings. A child deserves that. AND, your Hubby will also have to spend time with the eldest child as well, and to help you. ALLOW... your toddler to ask questions and 'need' you and even get fussy about it. Each child adjusts differently... but if they are secure about it all, it helps.
I would for example, even take my daughter to all my prenatal exams, and the Doctor even taught her how to place the heart monitor on my belly.... each month we took photos together with my growing stomach... we went shopping together FOR her baby brother and I let her 'choose' things too... I let her massage my tummy and talk to it and sing to it... I let her ask me anything about it. Essentially, letting her experience it and come to terms with it. And we talked about it a lot. And she loved to feel my tummy when her brother was kicking!
As far as everything else, just having a ROUTINE of things really helps. For all. I also had a "Daddy Do List" for my Hubby so that he knew what was 'his' things to do, and when and because as he said, he needs to be reminded. LOL
Most of all... ALLOW your toddler, to be a toddler, warts and all. Just because they are now the "eldest" child... does not mean they have to be perfect or an "example" for your baby. They are only kids once.
Congratulations and all the best, hope the books helps,
Susan
My boys are about that far apart, and I bought the older one a beautiful, old fashioned looking baby book that was called "My new baby" or something like that. If was a really cute book, he would trace the baby's hand and then his hand, cut a lock of hair from each, insert pictures of each and both together, and and make little drawings. There were also fill in the blanks about how the baby compared to him and what they liked to do. We still cherish that book. I just found it, the title is "My New Baby and Me, A first year record book for Big Brother's and Sisters" by Dian G. Smith, published by teh Metropolitan Museum of Art, Charles Scribner's Sons. Congradulations. The transition from one to two was not that hard for us, it is the transition from two to one (due to college) is much harder! Have fun.
There are some great books from Usborne. If you go to www.UBAH.com/J2416 and type in New Baby in the search it will come up with a list.
I especially like The New Baby--it talks about a family that is having a new baby added to the family. The pictures are colorful and engaging, with a hidden duck to be found on each page. This story is written for toddlers.
I would also check out Little Brothers Are. . . or Little Sisiters Are. . . if you find out which you are having these are also written for toddlers. The books can be found at the above website!
Congratulations on your new addition and happy reading!
