STM+ Moms: What are you doing to prepare your LO(s) for the new arrival?

flutepharm87 · February 2014

We've been talking about the baby and we bought the boys baby dolls, but other than that, I'm at a loss of what else to try to do to prepare them. They'll be taking a "big brother" course closer to my EDD, but I want to lessen the surprise/shock as best I can before DS3 arrives. What am I missing here?

artroyer · February 2014

How old are they? My DD will only be 16 months, so we're not doing much. I bought her a doll set with a stroller, carrier and crib, and it also has a bottle and feeding things. She just turned one, but she's so cute when she's playing with it and loves to hug the baby and try to feed her, so I'm hoping that means good things to come :-) if I had older children I'd definitely try to involve them in some decisions regarding the baby and let them pick out some gifts and things

amroke · February 2014

My son will be about 19.5 months when the baby is born, and I think he's too young to really understand what's happening.

MrsT2008 · February 2014

Nothing really. DD is 26 months right now. I got her a Big Sister book and she knows there is a baby in my belly but that's about it. I figure her world is going to be rocked regardless of what I do/don't do so I'm not worrying about it too much, at least not right now - when it gets closer we'll probably talk about things she can help me do, pick out some stuff for baby, etc.

ABColeslaw · February 2014

Asher will be 4 when his sister gets here. Honestly, nothing. We talk about her a lot. We point out other babies and stuff, but I really don't know if there is much you can do that will make a sig difference. I think we're all going to have to adjust when she gets here.

Miles2Go · February 2014

Dd is 21 months. We just talk about the baby a lot. I tell her that she'll be moments helper. She talks about him a lot, too. And she loves other babies and is very sweet with them, so I think we'll be ok.

flutepharm87 · February 2014

They're going to be 3 at the end of March. And while we talk about the baby a lot, they don't really get it. Not at all. Just has me worried, but I'm glad to hear that you guys are going through the same issues with your LOs.

MrsT2008 · February 2014

I don't really think many young kids are going to get it until the baby is actually here. DD loves loves babies, but it's obv totally different to have one that will live in our house and that we have to do all the caring for!

rainydayluck · February 2014

We got DD a couple big sister books, which she loves. They have great lines in them about how babies drink milk/bottles and big sisters eat pizza, cupcakes and apples and DD gets a kick out of that. She is 3 and will be 3.5 when the baby comes.
We let her pick out a toy at Buy Buy Baby for the new baby. We set up the crib and have looked at pictures of her when she was a baby. She talks about the baby a lot. She talks about sharing with the baby, but in a way that is like "oh I like that baby thing you are getting out for future use with the baby and I will share it with the baby and use it too". I'm hoping the novelty of the baby stuff will wear off quickly.

Junebug060609 · February 2014

DS is two, but with him not talking yet we cant exactly have a conversation about it.

I talk about Baby Sister regularly. He "helps" me get her room ready. He is seeing baby gear start to emerge from the garage (heaven help me when the swing comes out, lol).

There is only so much to do to prepare him for getting his world turned upside down though...

knash87 · February 2014

My daughter will almost be 2when the baby comes. She says there is a baby in my belly and to get her a little more involved I will say "tell the baby what you did today" and she will actually talk to the baby. The other day she said 'hi baby! What you doing? Sleeping? Ok!' I've also been pointing out some of the things we have for the baby and telling her that when the baby is out of mommy's belly he or she will use it (bed, swing, etc)

Chellbell20 · February 2014

We talk about it. But she doesn't get it. I was all excited last night when she told me my belly was the baby...then she quickly corrected herself to say it wasn't the baby it was my belly. She has a "little momma" personality with her babies and animals so I'm hoping that will translate well. Daycare also says she does really well with the babies there (they all share a room when I drop her off until more kids get there).

bcnoelle · February 2014

My son will be 3 in May. So far we just talk about the baby in mommy's belly. As time gets closer we'll get him a big brother book. I'm also going to pack a gift for him from the baby to bring to the hospital so when he visits he will feel special. We'll also discuss who is going to watch him during that time and that mommy has a boo boo for awhile.

Divine0chaos · February 2014

My son is three, I make sure I involve I'm in all things baby. When we pick something up from the store I let him help pick it out. When we get home I let him help me put it away. He has a big brother book which I think has helped as well. He knows what a baby is anytime we pass one, and when I watch my friends babies he me they're crying. So we help the baby feel better haha.

jenniferroshto · February 2014

Mine are older, 6 & 8. They get what's going on, we've let them choose special things to help with like reading to her or singing to her and they have helped pick out clothes and stuff. We've discussed who will pick them upfrom school when the big day comes and where they will stay that night, etc.

MamaLlama14 · February 2014

DS will be 2.5 in May. I think he's old enough to get it a little bit, but not entirely. I talk a lot about how he's a big boy and try not to call him "baby" like I always do, so that he doesn't feel replaced when there is an actual baby here again. I talk a lot about the baby in mommy's belly and always have him talk to my belly like another person in the room- he says good morning to baby, good night, etc... We practice being gentle with the dog or with a teddy bear. He's also going to move into a new room before the baby comes b/c I think he'll feel "kicked out" if it happens afterward.

MissLadyTay · February 2014

My son is almost 3. We have read books, asked for his help in preparing the nursery, and we talk about the baby. He is very anti-baby and said the other day that when baby gets here he is going to "stomp" on it. I have no idea where he even learned about "stomping" on things, as we are all about peace, love, and rock n roll in this house. So I am worried, to say the least.

frugalwife · February 2014

Mine will be almost 3 and we just moved him into his new room and big boy bed. It went great and he loves it! Otherwise we have just been talking about it.

chknma · February 2014

DD will turn 3 shortly after LO arrives. We mostly just talk about baby and baby coming home. She rubs my belly and gives it kisses. We lucked out because her BFF at daycare just became a big brother so there was a lot of baby talk at daycare. we haven't begun to change our office into the baby's room yet, so that will also help her see that change is coming.

DD says she wants to hold the baby, but doesn't want to share her toys or her mommy and daddy. she is really loving towards her own babies though so when she does something nice like feed them or put them down for a nap, I reminder her that she can help mommy do these things with the new baby. I think it will be an adjustment regardless of how much you try to prepare them.

jenb_99 · February 2014

DS will be 31 months old, too little to really understand, so we're not making a huge deal out of it. He has a baby doll that sleeps with him and we sometimes change the baby's clothes and diaper, we have a couple of big-brother and new-baby books that we've tried to read to him (he's not interested since they're not about trucks or trains), and we talk about Baby Sister when we say our prayers at night or when he bounces too hard on my belly. That's about it.

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