F those who have kids in the age range that they like Doc McStuffins, they just did some episodes about adopting a new baby. I happened to see the commercials and watched them with my three year old son and he was really engrossed. He likes to watch the show anyway, so it seemed like it helped it sink in a little more than the books we've been reading because there was more detail and he already had a connection to those characters. I liked that it really hit on the blend of emotions and not just how wonderful it would be to be a big brother because I'm sure my son is going to be excited, but I'm also sure there's going to be some other big emotions mixed in there too! I know not all families do tv, but if yours watches some, I was pretty happy with how these were written.
I watched those with my daughter. We've also watched the Daniel Tiger ones as well. They talk about how parents still have time for the older sibling, but they may just need to do something with the baby first and lots of other strong emotions that might be brought out by having a new sibling.
@Lyette1206 your daughter sounds just like mine. She also says there is a baby in her tummy etc. My kids will also share a room. I don't have any great advice but my daughter will be 2 months shy of her third birthday on my due date. I've tried to stress to her that babies cry a lot but I'm sure it'll still drive her nuts. Good luck everyone!
Thought I would resurrect this thread now that we're getting closer to (or, for some, past!) go time. How have conversations, etc., with older siblings been going, especially those with older siblings who are still pretty young themselves? If you're getting gifts for/from older siblings, what have you been picking out? For those whose babies have already arrived, what is working?
We've continued to have conversations with our daughter about "when baby brother comes" (she'll be 3 in August, so it's still a pretty abstract concept to her). I'm worried about how she'll adjust to not being the only tiny needy person in the house, so over the past couple of months we've started really emphasizing helper skills -- taking dishes to the kitchen, feeding the cat, picking up her toys. She really loves the praise she gets when she's a good helper, so I'm hoping we'll be able to translate that to life with the new baby -- picking out diapers, getting blankets and pacis, things like that. And today we sat down together and picked out a present for her to give to baby brother -- went through all the 12" Jellycat animals on Amazon and she selected one to give him. She picked a pink bunny, so that's what he's getting.
She also has a Bitty Baby that she's really into, and she likes to put Baby to bed, so I've been ordering some things for Baby that are like the things we'll be using for the real baby -- some cloth diapers and swaddles from Etsy, pretend bottles, and (I was super nerdily excited about this) a doll-sized exact replica of our Ergo. I'm packing up a mini tote to be a "diaper bag" for Baby, too. I'm hoping if she is able to take care of Baby alongside the new baby, she'll feel involved, especially since with his PUVs diagnosis, it's likely we're looking at NICU time and lots of follow-up medical care.
Thought I would resurrect this thread now that we're getting closer to (or, for some, past!) go time. How have conversations, etc., with older siblings been going, especially those with older siblings who are still pretty young themselves? If you're getting gifts for/from older siblings, what have you been picking out? For those whose babies have already arrived, what is working?
We've continued to have conversations with our daughter about "when baby brother comes" (she'll be 3 in August, so it's still a pretty abstract concept to her). I'm worried about how she'll adjust to not being the only tiny needy person in the house, so over the past couple of months we've started really emphasizing helper skills -- taking dishes to the kitchen, feeding the cat, picking up her toys. She really loves the praise she gets when she's a good helper, so I'm hoping we'll be able to translate that to life with the new baby -- picking out diapers, getting blankets and pacis, things like that. And today we sat down together and picked out a present for her to give to baby brother -- went through all the 12" Jellycat animals on Amazon and she selected one to give him. She picked a pink bunny, so that's what he's getting.
She also has a Bitty Baby that she's really into, and she likes to put Baby to bed, so I've been ordering some things for Baby that are like the things we'll be using for the real baby -- some cloth diapers and swaddles from Etsy, pretend bottles, and (I was super nerdily excited about this) a doll-sized exact replica of our Ergo. I'm packing up a mini tote to be a "diaper bag" for Baby, too. I'm hoping if she is able to take care of Baby alongside the new baby, she'll feel involved, especially since with his PUVs diagnosis, it's likely we're looking at NICU time and lots of follow-up medical care.
We didn't really pick out gifts for DS1 (3 years old) but it seems that everyone else is getting him gifts! We had 4 sets of visitors the day after we got home from the hospital and everyone brought him something, which was sweet. He has been excited the whole pregnancy and done really well with his brother so far. We have had some behavior setbacks due probably more to the change in schedule, but they have been mild. I think the age difference (almost 4 years) is really working in our favor, since I know that friends with smaller age differences have dealt with more jealousy. We definitely prepared a lot during--like with Daniel Tiger, big brother books and just talking through things letting him know what to expect. We've also been trying to give him some special individual attention (plus what he's gotten from family) over the past 4 days even though I admit that was harder on us. We just have been trying to develop and praise his "big boy" and independence skills and efforts and understanding how much he still needs from us. It's definitely not perfect, but it's working. My husband and I did have to have a serious talk about how he needs to be to go-to parent and work through the difficulties there--DS1 has gotten used to coming to me in the middle of the night, or for anything he needs help with. It worked better to make it very clear that DH and DS1 need to be a tight team right now. That was our biggest hurdle so far.
TTC#1 since May 2011
BFP #1 June 2011 m/c@6wks
BFP #2 December 2011, EDD 8/21/12, born 7/21/12 at 35w4d
@MynaBird We've also been emphasizing my three year old son's independence and helping skills. I made him his own snack bin in the kitchen, and he's been able to get his own water and wash himself up after meals for a while now. Hopefully that helps when I can't immediately jump up to help him when I'm nursing the twins. I also sewed cloth diapers for his doll after he realized it didn't have a diaper that he could change. I had just finished sewing some cloth diapers for the babies, so I had all the stuff out already, and he's thrilled he can change his doll now.
@lyoash31 Thank you for the snack bin idea -- I read that right before my daughter started asking for something to eat last night! I would have set one up on the spot if it weren't for the fact that the only available cabinet has a cabinet lock on it, so I'll need to track down a screwdriver first.
My two children are going to be 3 1/2 and 5 once baby is here in 4 weeks. To prepare them for the baby's arrival we took them to a sibling class at our hospital. We talk about the baby daily. I am trying to explain to them what life with a baby is like... all the crying, not much playing yet, being gentle, helping mommy, mommy being super tired, etc. We talk about this a lot. They helped me put away baby clothes and they picked out a present for the baby. Baby is getting them a gift. I think making them part of the routine and letting them help out is key. My goal is to keep their bedtime routine the same once baby is here. I did tell them that we would have to choose an extra book for the baby at bedtime since they both get to pick one each night. Special time with each child after baby is here is a goal, as well. Easier said than done, I am sure but hopefully that will help with them still feeling loved with their usual attention from me and my husband.
Re: Older siblings
We've continued to have conversations with our daughter about "when baby brother comes" (she'll be 3 in August, so it's still a pretty abstract concept to her). I'm worried about how she'll adjust to not being the only tiny needy person in the house, so over the past couple of months we've started really emphasizing helper skills -- taking dishes to the kitchen, feeding the cat, picking up her toys. She really loves the praise she gets when she's a good helper, so I'm hoping we'll be able to translate that to life with the new baby -- picking out diapers, getting blankets and pacis, things like that. And today we sat down together and picked out a present for her to give to baby brother -- went through all the 12" Jellycat animals on Amazon and she selected one to give him. She picked a pink bunny, so that's what he's getting.
She also has a Bitty Baby that she's really into, and she likes to put Baby to bed, so I've been ordering some things for Baby that are like the things we'll be using for the real baby -- some cloth diapers and swaddles from Etsy, pretend bottles, and (I was super nerdily excited about this) a doll-sized exact replica of our Ergo. I'm packing up a mini tote to be a "diaper bag" for Baby, too. I'm hoping if she is able to take care of Baby alongside the new baby, she'll feel involved, especially since with his PUVs diagnosis, it's likely we're looking at NICU time and lots of follow-up medical care.
BFP #1 June 2011 m/c@6wks
BFP #2 December 2011, EDD 8/21/12, born 7/21/12 at 35w4d
BFP #3 October 6, 2015. WHAT???
We've also been emphasizing my three year old son's independence and helping skills. I made him his own snack bin in the kitchen, and he's been able to get his own water and wash himself up after meals for a while now. Hopefully that helps when I can't immediately jump up to help him when I'm nursing the twins. I also sewed cloth diapers for his doll after he realized it didn't have a diaper that he could change. I had just finished sewing some cloth diapers for the babies, so I had all the stuff out already, and he's thrilled he can change his doll now.