Ideas on adding baby to your family

RainbowMama7

I have a soon to be 8 year old who up until October will be an only child. Does anyone have a large age gap between children? Can anyone share from experience ways to prepare your child for new baby and all of the changes that go along with it?

leah665

I was six when my little brother was born and I don't remember having any issues. I was really excited. Maybe talk to your 8 year old about his/her feelings of being a big brother/sister and let them be involved. They can be a huge help for you when caring for the baby.

batmom05

Our son will be 10 on September 14th and this little nugget is due on October 13th.

It's been a challenge preparing, but we are using the summer as an opportunity to have him help us prepare, spend a lot of time together, give him some new responsibilities and prepare him for how life will change.

He is a little bit afraid that he is being replaced, but overall very excited!

millette2015

I am a first time mom, so I can't share anything with you from experience. I do know that I was 12 when my younger brother was born, and it was important to make me feel like I had some ownership of the baby as well (he was also "my" baby and I had responsibility as well as a special role to play, which helped reduce jealousy). It was also important that my parents still spent time with me without the new baby at times, so it wasn't as if I was being replaced and they no longer had time for me (e.g. making sure they still came to my soccer game, spending one-on-one time with me whenever possible). I also came across this article through pinterest the other day, so I thought I'd share it with you. It makes some good points about introducing new changes, etc. https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/dos-and-donts-of-bringing-home-baby-20#_a5y_p=2114723

sante12

My stepdaughter was an only child until she was 9 when i had my son. She Would always ask for a baby brother or sister and she believed her prayer was answered when my son was born. But i was still worried about her not ever feeling left out and overwhelmed with the new baby. She was in the hospital when my son was born and I think that made a huge difference. Even now she still tells the story how she was the third person to hold him after he was born. Hubby and I told her God is blessing us with another family member and we have plenty of love in hearts to go around. Now she's even more thrilled to have a sister in the way.

jasbaby2

I'm lurking from November. We have a son who will be six by the time this baby is born. He is very excited and I think it will overall be a good experience. I'm sure he isn't anticipating all the ways life will change though. We are working on a little more independence this summer. Making sure he is used to staying in his own bed, getting dressed independently and the like.

katanasai

I have an 8 year old daughter and soon to be 7 year old son. Integrating them into the 'nursery' decisions has helped, especially since they both love other kids and my daughter adores babies.  I show them two options and let them help me decide between them.

102215duryee

My daughter is five and it has been pretty tough on her. But involving her in decisions has helped. She's helped with painting the nursery, she has helped with different aspects and even gets to help naming her sister. It has also really helped reading books about it and talking about her feelings. For your child that may be older, maybe have them write letters to the new arrival. Starting now and even after the child is born.

RainbowMama7

Thanks ladies!!! He's so excited right now, I'm just hoping stays that way once baby is here. Thanks for the ideas, so exciting and scary at the same time!