XP: Big Sis TOO helpful

kates_mommy

Tonight is our first night at home with DS and we have a 3 1/2 year old DD. So far she has done nothing but cry to hold him, feed him change him, etc. Any visitors she has cried until they gave him up to her. I know this is a big adjustment but she's going to drive everyone nuts is this keeps up. What can we do? Anyone else's LO's respond like this

DTNZ4Ever

I'm sure in a day or so the novelty will wear off.

Littlejen22

What can you do? Be patient. I know you were preparing and waiting for nine months and thought she was ready but unless the baby was born she was not prepared for how it would really change everything. You are now home and spending tons of time with the baby and everyone is coming to see the baby, her entire world changed so however annoying she is being, she thinks everyone else is more annoying.

LoCarb

I agree with PP the novelty will probably wear off soon.  DD1 always wanted to help with feedings by holding the bottle and handing me diapers when she needed to be changed. That never wore off and she was a big help. 

Maybe try buying her a new baby doll with accessories. Then it's new too and she can play mommy to her doll.

Mama2TwoBoys

That's awesome that she wants to help so much! Our 3 1/2 year old also constantly wants to be involved with whatever we are up to.

I try not to shoot down his attempts of helping, even though it gets annoying, because I want to make sure he keeps that mindset. I tell him thank you, and redirect him to something that he can do to help.

Explain to her that mommy or daddy needs to hold him right now, but she can help by getting a blankie to keep him warm.  Or Grandma would like a turn to rock him, can she sing a lullabye to soothe him?  Tell her that diapers are very dirty and are for adults to do, but she can take a wrapped up diaper to the trash.

Does she have a baby doll that she can care for in the exact way you're doing with your son? Like when he's eating, she can give the baby doll a bottle, etc. 

Even after all I've had to say... she really might not care in a couple days once it's old news