As of today, we are just 12 days away from meeting little brother. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. One of the biggest things that keeps me awake at night is worrying about how AG will adjust to her baby brother and the changes that will come with. Little miss has been through so many changes over the past month. Moving from Texas to Florida, moving in with Nana and Papa, Daddy home for three weeks before his new job started and next week the two biggest changes will happen. On Friday, we will move to our new house and that following Wednesday her little brother will be here. I can’t begin to tell you how guilty I feel about all of these changes in her life. They are all definitely for the best and we are beyond grateful to have been able to move back before L is born. I know we will make it work and get through it all together. Because of all of these changes I really wanted to make L’s birth a very special time for her as well.
I spent a good amount of time reading about helping your child prepare for a new sibling. With that information along with a few ideas from friends and family, I came up with the following things I have planned to do for AG with the birth of her little brother.
Gift for Baby Brother from Big Sister
You can see all of the details for the survival kit here.
I don't have any advice but these are great tips for when the time comes for us! Hope everything goes well. I am sure AG will be a great big sister!
How awesome of a Mommy are you? I have never seen someone work so hard at making things flow together so well as you! I can't wait to see your family grow from 3 to 4.
These ideas are all awesome! I love how much thought you have put into everything.
These are awesome tips and little AG is going to be the best big sister! The only tips we have are:
Keep things as normal as possible for her – SJ of tens stays over at grannies house and all of a sudden my husband was trying to be with her at grannies house and then fetch her from there for school etc – it was completely abnormal for her. But sleeping over 3 nights in a row was great for her.
One visit to the hospital is a good idea but my gut feeling would not be for it to when going home – it can get very hectic when packing up and heading home and not always a space for a little person to be around. We had SJ come visit once in hospital, I was in my room, sitting in the chair (so I didn't look sick or sore) and when she came in, we went to the nursery to fetch HER little sister. She was so proud. And then she was told of a treat waiting at home and she was more than excited to leave and see me at home later.
The little gifts to each other work so well, SJ still comments on her gifts from her little sister and she reminds Ellie which gifts she gave her.
Try and involve her in as many baby activities – mixing or washing bottles, fetching supplies or a paci, helping change a diaper or swaddling. They feel so proud and important – a real life doll for them.
We also try not to say No or Don't touch the baby to SJ – she has been very gentle and is often just so loving so we give her quite a lot of freedom around the baby. She doesn't seem threatened at all.
SJ LOVES it when visitors come to our house or passing people in the shops – first thing she does is say hello and meet my sister, Ellie. It is too cute!
Wow, that was quite an essay. Big sisters seem to fit the role so well and it's such a good age gap. Just remember that we over think and analyse way more than our little people do.
xx
All super cute ideas! I think since you are concerned about making her feel included that things will be alright. I like the idea of having the older kid introduce the guests to the new baby.
While we won't be having another baby for a while, I want to remember all of this! I think you've got great ideas and I'm sure she's going to love her baby brother!
Awe all of it is super cute…
I am sure she will do just fine in time 🙂 Once she adjust to the fact that she is not an only child any longer… Hang in there 🙂
I love this so much. I'm not even ready to start think about trying for #2 and I am already worried about how to make Kenley feel special during this transitional time! I love the idea of the gifts by the door and brother & sister exchanging gifts! I will definitely be coming to you for tips when the time comes. 🙂
The Water Wow coloring books are awesome! You are so creative…these are all great ideas and Avery is going to transition seamlessly, I just know it!