Big Brother/Big Sister class?

IAM4UK

Good Sam offers this class, but it says it is geared for kids ages 3-8.

Anyone who has taken their kids to this class, what do they do? Do you think it would be over Katie's head?

I'm just not sure I should skip it or not. Your thoughts?

adamsbabble

Ava didn't take a class.  Not knowing Katie, I don't know if it'd be over her head or not, but I will say that when we were expecting Charlotte (Ava was almost 2... so slightly younger than Katie) she really didn't grasp the concept at all.  We took care of her baby dolls, read her Big Sister book, talked about how we were setting up the swing and washing clothes for the new baby we were having, etc. but she still never "got it" until we actually brought Charlotte home.  Now that we are expecting again and she is (almost) 3 years old, she definitely gets it and talks about our baby growing in my tummy, so it sorta makes sense to me that they would gear the class to 3 and up.  I'm not saying you should skip the class--if nothing else it might be fun for her--but in my experience with Ava I don't think it would have helped her grasp the concept anymore than talking about it at home did.

Soon2BHiker

St Elizabeth Edgewood also offers a sibling class, not sure what ages its geared for, but I've heard great things about it. Might be worth a call to find out.

IAM4UK

adamsbabble:

Ava didn't take a class.  Not knowing Katie, I don't know if it'd be over her head or not, but I will say that when we were expecting Charlotte (Ava was almost 2... so slightly younger than Katie) she really didn't grasp the concept at all.  We took care of her baby dolls, read her Big Sister book, talked about how we were setting up the swing and washing clothes for the new baby we were having, etc. but she still never "got it" until we actually brought Charlotte home.  Now that we are expecting again and she is (almost) 3 years old, she definitely gets it and talks about our baby growing in my tummy, so it sorta makes sense to me that they would gear the class to 3 and up.  I'm not saying you should skip the class--if nothing else it might be fun for her--but in my experience with Ava I don't think it would have helped her grasp the concept anymore than talking about it at home did.

She would be taking the class when she is closer to 3. Probably in October or November.

sistrkate

Mercy offers this class too, and I was planning to take Justin to it, but I didn't call in time to register him before Tyler was born.  I was bummed.

My sister took her son to it when his brother was born and he was about the same age as Katie will be.  Then both of her sons went again when she was pregnant with their sister.  Basically, they take them on a little hospital tour so they can see where Mommy will be staying when the baby comes.  They might even take them to see the nursery where the babies are, I don't remember.  They also have them bring a stuffed animal of their own and show them how to diaper it, etc.  It sounded really cute and I definitely think a little girl would get into it.

I think it would be a great idea to take Katie and I'm still bummed that Justin didn't get to go to one.

ETA:  I should also mention, the parents stay with them the whole time, at least for the class offered at Mercy.  My concern was that he would be scared if he were away from me or his dad, but my sister assured me that the parents attend along with them.  The content is geared toward the kids, of course, but they are with you the whole time.

adamsbabble

IAM4UK:

adamsbabble:

Ava didn't take a class.  Not knowing Katie, I don't know if it'd be over her head or not, but I will say that when we were expecting Charlotte (Ava was almost 2... so slightly younger than Katie) she really didn't grasp the concept at all.  We took care of her baby dolls, read her Big Sister book, talked about how we were setting up the swing and washing clothes for the new baby we were having, etc. but she still never "got it" until we actually brought Charlotte home.  Now that we are expecting again and she is (almost) 3 years old, she definitely gets it and talks about our baby growing in my tummy, so it sorta makes sense to me that they would gear the class to 3 and up.  I'm not saying you should skip the class--if nothing else it might be fun for her--but in my experience with Ava I don't think it would have helped her grasp the concept anymore than talking about it at home did.

She would be taking the class when she is closer to 3. Probably in October or November.

In that case, I would say go for it!  It sounds like she will be close to the age that Ava is now, and she's very excited about having a baby--she even closes her one eye and looks with the other into my belly button to see it and she told us it's a brother, lol.  She definitely gets it!  If Ava wasn't already a big sister, this is something I would do with her at this age.