If you have 2+ children....

MrsOlson

Did you take a big brother/sister class to prepare your child for the new arrival? Did you find it useful? Have you encountered any problems with the older one now that the baby is here?

 

(Can you tell I'm a little nervous about the 2nd baby? LOL)

HasteTheDay

Lydia was only 17 months when Nora was born, so I'm sure we had different problems than you'll have. We didn't take any classes or anything before hand, but we did get her a baby doll for her first birthday. I'm not sure if that made a difference at all...

But, Lydia was very jealous when Nora came home. She would either completely ignore me (she was a total daddy's girl), or act out when I was giving Nora attention. As soon as I would sit down to nurse Nora, she would either throw a fit or start running around doing everything she wasn't supposed to- so make sure everything is super toddler proofed!!! The only other problems were because she just didn't know how to handle a baby- she was curious and didn't understand that she could hurt her. So Lydia would poke Nora in the eye or pull her ear too hard if we weren't careful. I can't say that has gotten much better, but she doesn't seem jealous at all anymore.?

npeacock

No we didn't because it was geared toward older kids.  DS was only 2.  We got him big brother books and involved him in getting things ready (like packing the diaper bag, getting baby clothes, picking out toys for the new baby, etc.).

LanaM

My kids are 3 years apart. We did not take any classes. I bought some books for Ethan to read about being a big brother and having a baby in the family. What helped a lot I think was that his ex bff in school had a little sister and a couple of big brother. Most kids in his school had siblings so he was kind of prepared and excited.

We have not had any problems. It was one of my biggest issues too. I should've told Ethan about me being in the hospital for a couple of days though. I think he freaked out a little. He came to visit after his brother was born and he did not want to be near me... and he was such a mama's boy before. He was much better the next day though, lots of gifts from friends and family helped a lot I think.

We did not change his schedule while I was on maternity leave. He was still going to the nursery/daycare every day. When we were home I tried to make sure to spend time with him. If I was nursing J, I was sitting on the floor next to Ethan while playing or reading him a book. He also gets special mommy and Ethan time or Daddy and Ethan time. Luckily, J goes to sleep 1.5-2 hours before Ethan, so we have our one-on-one time with him every night.

Good luck!

 

true_norskie

The siblings class was for ages 3+ so DD#1 wasn't old enough for it.  We toured the hospital and that was it for "formal" prep.  She had some books.

 

We talked a LOT about the new baby and what would happen once she arrived.  We said that Daddy would hold her, Grammy would hold her, Mama would hold her a lot and feed her.  We hyped her being a big sister, had a t-shirt for her that said she'd be a big sister.

 

 DD#1 has done better than we could have ever hoped.  We have just involved her in everything.  We talk about her baby sister's tiny features, she helps with diapers and her pacifier. 

 

She has no resentment toward her baby sister.  She certainly has "acted out" a few times (doing things after we've told her no like unfold an entire basket full of folded clothes!) for attention but she has NEVER acted out towards the baby.

 

I say just talk about it a TON.  I think that is what helped us.

 

Good luck!  It is SO much fun to see DD#1 interacting with her baby sister.  She is wonderful with her.  I can't wait until DD#2 is old enough to interact back with her big sister.

Zenya

no class.  DS is 2.5.  I got the Dr. Sears sibling book and he enjoyed that. And we did a lot of talking about how the new baby would need a lot and he'd be a great helper and Daddy would put him to bed and take him for chicken nuggets (lol).  And if he got lonely at night he could still come sleep with us, etc.

 

So far so good.  He's acting out a bit but not much.  I'm really proud of him.

amw80

No class. Lillian was only 13.5 months when Jack was born though, so a little different than you. She was great with him when he was a newborn. ..very intrguied and nurturing. We would always give her things to help with (getting a diaper, etc..simple things for her age). She hasn't really shown much jealousy at all.. think that's sort of all she knows. GL!