I thought it would be cool to post a new question every week for my readers. Some will be on the more serious side and others more just for fun. Since this has been an issue you on my mind , I will throw this out as my first question.
What are some creative ways to help a 4 yr old child prepare for the arrival of a new sibling? She has been the baby for the past 4 1/2 years and I already see signs of jealously.
Don't hold back. I would love to hear from you.
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HI--Thank you so much for the comment on my blog!!! Thank you!!!! I look foward to following your journey!!! I read some of your blog and I love it!! You are such a wonderful woman of God!!!!
oooh I will tell you --I don't know if I have any Wise Words at all!!! I have the exact age differance between Caleb and Molly (I think her name is going to be Molly! :o) --I will tell what we did --we had him pick out some toys to give to her--and then we told him how much she loved him and was looking foward to meeting him--honestly telling him that seemed to help the most because his world was still about him!!! It sounds crazy but in his little four and half year old mind it made sense! And we also knew the foster mother had been telling her she had a brother --I knew she didn't understand any of it but Caleb knowing she was excited to meet him really helped!
When she got here I was amazed at him I felt like he really grew up sooo fast and he was so proud to be a big brother!!! He was showing jealousy signs too before she came home and I was really worried!!! But once she got here he was so happy!! Your sweet girl could really suprise you!!! :o) Oooh I can't wait until you have your baby!!! HOw exciting!!!
Hmmm, well, I would suggest taking her to all of the appointments where she can see the baby on screen or even hear the heartbeat. Take her shopping with you for baby things. Talk excitedly to her about the new baby and how proud you are of her in this new big girl role of big sister.
Sadly, there are no guarantees of no jealousy. Of our four, the only one who had jealousy issues was Abby. It took moving (driving) from Texas to New Jersey for her to get over it. She and Charity were in the van with me and Lizzie was in the truck with Daddy, so Abby had no choice but to talk with and play with Charity. They still don't get along as well as any other pairing of the girls, but it has gotten A LOT better.
Hope you get better suggestions. lol
I dont have any suggestions. I just want to let you know I read your blog and love it.
One way I have heard is for the older siblings to pick out a present to bring to baby in the hospital and one for each child to recieve from baby while they are visiting baby in the hospital.
Also I have heard of mommies getting little ones dollies to help prepare them for the arrival of new little ones.
Another thing, I have heard of that is very successful, is encouraging the child to speak to (and bond with) the baby while still in utero. Help the child understand that she can talk to baby and that the baby can hear her. Let her touch your belly while talking to the baby, maybe rub some lotion on the "baby".
Letting the child help pick out special things for the baby is always helpful too.
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