Big Brother and Big Sister Sibling
Gifts can ease the transition to the new
family role
It can be stressful to become a big brother or big sister-nothing changes
their world quite so dramatically as having a new sibling. In the months you
have to prepare for such a life changing event, your older child's reaction to
a new sibling will depend, in part, on their age at the time they become a big
brother or a big sister.
Younger kids have the advantage of quickly being able to forget life before
the new baby arrived and can make the transition quite easily. On the other
hand, they are less likely to understand why mom has to stay at the hospital
for a few days and why she may not be up to playing the way she normally does
while she recovers. Friends and family can help by spending time with your
toddler and making the first few weeks with a new baby a little easier for them
by taking them out of the house to do fun things. Play up the new role as Big Brother or Big Sister and instill a little pride in the new status.
Prepare your older child emotionally for the new baby's arrival by talking
about what life will be like with the new baby and by reading books about
becoming a big brother or a big sister. Older toddlers may enjoy being part of
the process of preparing to welcome a new baby. They can help by putting things
away in the nursery and picking out new things for their new siblings.
A sibling gift can help an older sibling not to feel lost
in the excitement that surrounds the arrival of a new baby. It can be frustrating for a toddler watching
the new baby receive gifts from family and friends. A small toy or book can
help an older sibling feel a part of the celebration and not be frustrated by
the gifts that the new baby is receiving.
You could start talking about the new baby too early. Time
moves slowly for toddlers and they may lose interest if parents make a big deal
about a "new baby" early on in a pregnancy. Some parents choose to wait to talk
with an older sibling about a new baby until the time is closer to a reality
and the changes in Mom's shape need explaining.
Suggested sibling gifts: Big Brother T-shirt, Big Sister plush bear,
