Children are a huge blessing for parents and a great way to start a new family. Parents usually think about caring for their first child and providing them with the best possible environment.
However, the second child’s experience is slightly different because parents try to figure out how the older child will react to a new sibling. Here are some useful tips to tell your older child about his or her new sibling. Read on!
Prepare Your Older Kid for a New Sibling
The third trimester is the best time to talk to your older child about a new sibling’s arrival. Use age-appropriate language when you speak to him or her about the growing baby. Ask your older child or children to help you create a baby’s nursery.
If you don’t know how to easily carry out the process, you can enroll in a sibling class designed for parents and children to learn about a new sibling. Tell your children that their new sibling will sleep, eat, and cry most of the time.
Explain to your older children that the new sibling won’t talk or play with them right away. Experts recommend changing your child’s room or move out his crib in the third trimester to make space for his or her new sibling.
It will enable your older kid to adapt to the new environment before dealing with his sibling’s arrival. Make sure you complete your child’s toilet and bathroom training before his sibling is born.
You can also show your older child some photos of yourself when you were pregnant with him. It allows your child to understand how pregnancy progresses and how he or she was born. Another fascinating way to make your child aware of a new baby is by showing him ultrasound photos.
Introduce Your Older Child to a New Sibling
It is not difficult to introduce your older child to his new sibling if you had trained him while pregnant. Have a family member, relative, or friend bring your child to the birth center or hospital when the new baby arrives.
It is the best time to introduce your child to his or her new sibling. Allow your father, mother, or sister to hold the new baby for a while so that you can cuddle your old child. The purpose is to realize your older child that he or she still has significant value in the family.
You can also gift your older child a gift like a T-shirt that says “Love you big sister” or “I am a big brother“. When you come back home from the birth center, take your child to his favorite places, such as a park, playground, or ice cream shop, to celebrate the arrival of his or her sibling.
If your older children are between two to four years of age, they may feel jealous of sharing your attention with your new baby. Tell your kids that their new sibling needs lots of care and attention. Likewise, encourage your older kids to take an interest in their new sibling, and one way to do this is by taking them to a store where you can shop for baby supplies.
Calm Your Older Children If they Act Out
Older children between two to four years of age usually try to get your attention by breaking the rules. Don’t punish the older siblings and praise them every time they behave well.
Ignore your older children’s behavior if they behave inappropriately to get your attention. The purpose is to enable them to look for positive ways to get your attention. Speak with the oldest child and ask him or her about a new sibling. Listen to his views carefully and make adjustments accordingly.
Your children will react and act out aggressively after knowing about their new sibling. Remember, you are not alone because all parents face such a situation. These are normal reactions to release their stress and frustration. Instead of punishing them, it is better to tolerate their behavior. Your children will get used to their new sibling soon.
Final Words
The arrival of a second or third child is a fascinating experience for parents. It is exciting because you know how to care for a child, but it is also terrifying because you don’t know how your older children react to their new sibling. Follow the tips and tricks mentioned above to cope with the situation effectively.
