New Baby Coming

The video and doll are a great idea! I didn't know how my son would react when my daughter was born either, although he had been around other kids in our building at that time, but at home it was like you said, all about him. A neighbor suggested buying a small gift that he'd really like and giving it to him the day we brought the baby home and saying the baby brought him the present. We just got him a little action figure from a show he was into at the time, which he loved and he told everyone his sister gave it to him.

You can expect some jealousy that is just part of it all. My biggest problem was my older son would get in to stuff while I was nursing his brother. I tried to keep him involved during the pregnancy and let him kiss the baby/belly. Everything will eventually work its way out. Keeping her involved and having her help out by getting a diaper, bottle, helping pick out clothes, etc. really helps also. There are many ways to help her feel involved and I am sure you can get creative with it as well!

Since you have a car situation, you can set up a blog for other SAHM's in your area and try to set up some visits at your home. Get your daughter some play pals, with mothers who have two or more children that will be an influence on your daughter. She will see how fun it will be to have a sibling, and also see how the mothers interact with their multiple children. There are books that you can read, on expecting a baby. Read to her, and talk to her about how she can help with the baby. She is old enough to want to help, and it will help things be less frustrating. my son is 22 months older than my daughter. he loves to go get me a diaper for sissy, or take the bottle to sissy, or help feed her. When he feels like he is helping, it makes it easier because he is still getting attention by being the big brother, and yet you can still care for the little one.

E.. I just had a baby boy the end of Jan. OUr other son is 2 1/2. We have been trying for the past several months to include him in almost everything relating to the baby. We showed him the clothes and toys, and have let him play and explore everything. We have tried telling him that he will have to be a big boy helper. So far, we have good moments and bad hours, but each day gets a little easier. He loves to help get things for his baby brother and help in any way that I will allow. The biggest thing though is still trying to give him his routine and individual play/attention time. If the baby is content or sleeping, we let him be and concentrate on our older son. Keeping the balance is a challenge, but don't give up, and don't get frustrated. Good luck. J.

Been there, done this. My daughter was 3 when I had my second child. We bought the Big Sister Dora doll and the movie. It helped tremendously. I have to almost tell my daughter to stop being protective. The movie explains alot. We still sing the song, "I'm Going To Be a Big Sister." LOL!

My daughter was the same age when we had our second. She had a baby doll and she would copy everything I was doing. Changing, feeding,ect. I would also let her hold her sister with me and help as much as possible so she felt involved with the new baby.

I would say, if you don't have a church currently, find one that is family friendly and get involved in mothers' groups through that first (you can take the bus if you have to). Also your local public library will provide classes for mommies (or daddies) and toddlers/babies. if you are not a member of the YMCA already, you can join on a sliding scale depending on your income. It is free in some cases. They have pretty good child care facilities from my experience.

Just let her know even tho there will be a new baby in the house that you will not love her any diffrent than before. Have her help you with things with the baby. You will be surpriced how much help she will be.

You could let your daughter pick out or make a present for her new sister, keep telling her "your new little sister is going to Love you," and keep saying things like "she's gonna be your best friend" and "you'll get to show her how to do everything." That way it's still about her, but she can see how the two of them will be special as sisters. It's never easy for a sibling to share attention but eventually she'll get used to it. It seemed like my daughter stopped being as jealous as soon as my son started walking because he was able to play with her alot more. And now they laugh hysterically together.