We are expecting our second daughter in about 6 weeks. We are constantly talking about the new baby and trying to prepare our little princess. She seems really excited and is really starting to want to do more with daddy, which is helpful for me, but what are some clear signs that she really is ok with this? How can we help make sure the transition is a good one? They will be sharing a room, so we are slowing starting to change over the room and we have pulled out baby items such as the swing and bouncy seat for her to practice with. Please share any advice you have. We think she will be a great big sister, but at this age they can always surprise you!
Sounds like your on the right track. I would say get some books on being the big sister and just talk to her and let her know the importance of being a big sister, its amazing at this age how much they understand.
We did something really neat to help our little guy accept his new brother. A few weeks before, I went - by myself to the build a bear store and made a bear with stuff that my big guy liked. Then while I was in the hospitol, before my son came to see his little brother for the first time, his grandma took him to build a bear and he made a bear for his little brother. When he came to the hospitol, he was so excited that lilttle brother had a present for him too. Also, at the hospitol, I had a frame with pictures of just my older guy. I told him it was for me while I was away from him, then the baby wanted it. We put it in the crib with him and in his room by his bed when we brought him home. Good luck and happy baby!
We have four kids and what we did to prepare each for the next was to always refer to the new baby as our baby -meaning the child's too. When we brought the baby home from the hospital, she always came gifts for the older siblings. My kids are teens and still remember this. If the new baby comes home with a gift for the older ones, he/she is automatically pretty cool! Also, it's important for the older child to know that he/she has a new important role in the family. We never had any jealousy.
You may have trouble with sharing the room though. The baby is going to wake up your daughter in the night. We did room sharing too but the baby stayed in our room the first few months.
Picture if you will the husband who comes home and says to his wife, "Honey, things are great but I am bringing home another woman to live with us." Your reaction would probably be shock, anger, etc. Once the newness of the baby has worn off, your daughter child may have a similar reaction. Who is this person that is consuming all my mommy's time and why does everyone think this baby is so wonderful?
Make sure you schedule some one on one time for just you and your daughter so she won't feel neglected. Praise her when she is gentle with the baby and helpful to you.
The birth of a sibling is a major transition and it will take everyone in your family some time to adjust.
Best wishes!!
Congratulations, usually at the hospital they have sibling classes we did this with each of our children when they were becoming the sibling. They had classes for the different ages also. We had our children at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles. You can check with your hospital.
