Help Your Child Deal with the New Arrival
Going from a trio to a family of four can be an exhilarating experience for the parents. For the older child however it opens up a can of worms of insecurities and confusion. Preparing your child for a new brother or sister is something that should be begun well before the baby arrives. Investing some time in easing your child’s introduction to the baby will placate his fears and smoothen out your journey to a bigger happier family!
Help your toddler prepare for the impending birth by showing him pictures from your ultrasound. Talk to him about what his babyhood was like and show him pictures of his first few days. This gives him a sense of what to expect in a few months’ time.
When the baby arrives there will be but naturally more fuss made about the new addition to the family than your older child. Visitors will drop by oohing and aahing over your bundle of joy. It’s easy for a child to feel left out in this new scheme of things. Boost your child’s feeling of self importance by keeping a basket of gifts for her so you can hand them to her when guests troop in with armloads of gifts for the newborn.
Another great idea to get a child involved with the new arrival is to ask for his or her help in looking after the baby. Get your child to do small chores that relate to the baby – helping fold baby clothes, giving you a hand while you’re changing the baby etc. Being involved in the upbringing process will make the baby seem less of an intruder.
Invest in more time with your toddler. If possible spend your waking moments holding or cuddling your older child before you begin attending to the baby. This might seem easier said than done, but it will help eliminate any feelings of resentment or bitterness.
A child’s feelings of insecurity over the new baby will in many cases lead to various degrees of sibling rivalry down the line. To learn how you as a parent can be fair and resolve conflict, check out Sibling Rivalry Tips.
Filed under: Family Issues
