Preparing The Older Sibling For a New Baby

With a new child on the way, you'll have to find a way to get your other children involved in the upcoming event.  This could be difficult in the beginning, especially for a first-born used to getting all the attention and the older sibling may begin to feel left out. 

You can explain and talk about the new child on the way, but this is really approaching it on a logical level.  Will your children really understand?  A better way to get them involved is to create a journal that can be filled with information about them for their new brother or sister on the way.

You can purchase an appropriate journal at your local bookstore or find one of the many unique journals that have been created for siblings.  Then fill them with information your child provides by asking them specific questions:

- Do you hope the new baby looks like you?

- Do you want a brother or a sister?

- What toys can you share with your new brother or sister?

- What do you want to teach the new baby?

- Where do you want the new baby to sleep?

- Tell your new brother or sister your age, what you do during the day and where you go to school

- Draw a picture for the new baby

Take a picture of your child while he or she is drawing the picture.  Then include this photo in the journal.  And what great fun you can have asking any prepared questions on a video or audio cassette while recording your child's voice.  Even if he or she is not speaking yet, it will be interesting to listen to the recording in later years.

Another activity is to plan a toy box for the new baby that is created by the big brother or sister.  This can be a mix of their old toys and new toys that are chosen by them for the baby.  An activity like this can help to teach them about giving and creating memories together.

Performing any of these activities will create special time with you and your child while you wait for the new baby to arrive.  And after your baby is born, you have a keepsake that becomes the basis for sibling bonding for a lifetime.