December 2010 Moms

I'm @ a loss... LO/DS related...

My 10 year old is really excited for his baby brother to come. We have gone on tours, taken Big Brother Bootcamp, spent time with other babies, etc...

He feels confident enough to be a big brother. In the last couple of days he is just mopey and crying alot. I asked him why and he tells me he is crying/upset because he wants his brother here.

In the beginning of the pregnancy we watched a movie that went week by week and marked weeks on the calendar. The 40 week time frame was explained to him and he seemed to understand WHEN H would be here.

Any ideas on how to get him excited instead of mopey? No other behaviors have changed other than his impatience for a brother..LOL

Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

Re: I'm @ a loss... LO/DS related...

  • It's a little hokey and he might be tipping the age on appropriateness but you guys could make a countdown chain for the days left.

    Maybe plan a craft or something fun to do each week until brother arrives, like decorate a onesie or try to plan some "staycation-ish" activities for each weekend so he has something else to look forward to every day besides the birth.

    We're planning to throw DS a "big brother" party so maybe you guys could do that since you're also have a c/s. He could make invitations for family and pick out a cake or something.

     Hmmm...

  • Loading the player...
  • That is so sweet!  Maybe try to explain to him about the importance of the baby staying in your belly until he is fully ready.  Or is their some kind of project you could give him to do for his baby brother that will keep him preoccupied till closer to the due date. 
  • imagefutureCLJ:

    My 10 year old is really excited for his baby brother to come. We have gone on tours, taken Big Brother Bootcamp, spent time with other babies, etc...

    He feels confident enough to be a big brother. In the last couple of days he is just mopey and crying alot. I asked him why and he tells me he is crying/upset because he wants his brother here.

    In the beginning of the pregnancy we watched a movie that went week by week and marked weeks on the calendar. The 40 week time frame was explained to him and he seemed to understand WHEN H would be here.

    Any ideas on how to get him excited instead of mopey? No other behaviors have changed other than his impatience for a brother..LOL

    Firstly, it's adorable that he's so excited to have a little brother! Perhaps he could write letters or draw pictures for LO each week? They'll be great keepsakes and maybe help him express those feelings of excitement turned sadness. Hope that helps!

    image

    "I wanted you more than you'll ever know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go."

     Lilypie Kids Birthday tickersLilypie Second Birthday tickers

    image Follow Me on Pinterest

    Ginny DX 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

    Charlie DX Specific Antibody Deficiency & ASD

  • I would let him know that if his brother arrived now, he would be a little sick and would have to stay in the hospital for a while--which would be very hard!  So even though it's tough to be patient, just think that every day he's still inside, is a day healthier he will be.

    I'm sure he wants his little brother to be as healthy as possible!

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Maybe make a countdown scrapbook together so he can show his brother what he was doing to prepare for him and help him get familiar with the family. Maybe make a page for each day leading up?
  • I dunno.  I think it's fair to let him be a little mopey.  That's not a bad thing - it's his excitement that's making him impatient.  I'd probably just sit down with him and talk thru it, let him know that it's ok to be sad that his little brother isn't here yet but that it still is going to take some time.

    I mean, 40 weeks is a long time for anyone to patiently wait, much less a 10 year old!  It's like being excited and waiting for Christmas since March.  That's a long time.

  • Since he's been so excited, I be he will come around on his own.  I have stretches where I'm mopey and weepy too.  Crying  Do you think it would help to talk about the days/weeks again?  Maybe do a countdown to full term on a roll of toilet paper - where you write a number on each piece of TP, roll it back up, so he can rip off a number each day and visually see how many more days are left. . . . . he could help decorate the days. . . . . . or you could leave a few blank here and there and make those squares special, like that day you have him draw a picture or make a collage or something just for LO.  Or you could have the special squares be a special outing with mom. 

     

  • imageMamaStef0810:
    Maybe make a countdown scrapbook together so he can show his brother what he was doing to prepare for him and help him get familiar with the family. Maybe make a page for each day leading up?

    I like this idea!

     

  • Thanks for the good ideas ladies! I have gone over the 'health' aspect of everything- busted out my nursing reference books and showed him, even the WTE book. I think I'm just going to have to invest in some busy activities. He's been helping me with the DIY stuff, painting stars for the mobile, etc. Letters and a small scrapbook sound good!
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • It's really cute that he's so anxious to meet his brother!  I'd say to let him mope a little & than maybe ask him what would help get him from mopey to excited again?  Maybe do some crafts for his little bro, and perhaps plan some things for later?  List the things he's excited about? 

    And if that doesn't work, or even if it does, maybe focus on some one on one time before the baby gets here?  Hope all turns out well, and at least he's excited & not dreading it!!

  • Maybe when he's mopey you could have him write down what he would do with his little brother if he were there (playing with cars, videogames...whatever) and have a special jar for all of those little 'wishes' to keep in the baby's room.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • maybe make a little countdown calendar (something like an advent calendar?) especially now since there aren't many days left. It's something he could look forward to turning or opening every day.
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickersLilypie Second Birthday tickers
  • Honestly, I would do exactly the opposite.  Sounds like he is worked up well in advance of the date.  Can you do something to take his mind off of the impending arrival? 

     

This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"