Date : October 15, 2022
Your child is going to be an older sibling
There’s a new baby coming, and everyone’s excited – but how will your older child cope? They’ll have to learn to share your love and attention with their new baby brother or sister. It’s a huge change in their young life and even if they’re excited, there are bound to be growing pains. Your child may feel left out or even resentful. So, what can you do to smooth the way for your child when your new baby makes their entrance? We’ve got five things you can do to help make your child excited about becoming an older sibling!
Five ways to help them cope
Involve your child in your pregnancy – don’t keep the baby a mystery!
By involving your child in your pregnancy, they’ll feel a part of the process and develop a connection to their unborn sibling. Talk to your child about the baby, let them touch the baby bump and feel them moving and kicking. They’ll soon realise that the baby is a living and breathing person who they will grow to love. Maybe you can even take them to your next doctor’s visit so they can listen to the heartbeat!
Involve your child in the practical parts of getting ready for a new baby.
Include your child in fun ways to get ready for the new baby. Ask them to help pick out clothing and baby items. You can even ask their opinion on how to decorate the nursery. Again, you’re helping your child build a connection to their new baby brother or sister.
Involve your child in welcoming the new addition to the family.
Help your child to welcome their new sibling by encouraging them to make something for the baby. They could help create bunting for the nursery, draw or paint a picture to hang in the baby’s room, or make a welcome card. Helping your child to physically create something will help them adjust to the changing family situation.
Choose books about babies or becoming a new brother or sister at the library.
Encourage your child to choose books about babies or gaining a new sibling at the library. Picture books use beautiful illustrations and simple language to help children understand complex situations. Reading about babies will help them understand these new little people and how it will be living with them. Reading about becoming a brother or sister will help them understand that they’re gaining something rather than losing anything.
Reconnect your child with the baby they once were.
Show your child photos of when they were a baby and talk about what it was like. Show them that while it’s a big change to have a new baby, it’s an exciting change with so many things to look forward to.
Why not browse our shop with your child to find the perfect gift for the new baby! Take a peek at all the cutest May Gibbs stuff here.
Librarian Bec
Right now, Librarian Bec’s hard at work at your local library, sharing a passion for reading with little people and big. Bec writes about inspiring little readers and embracing lovely literature.
