If you are your other half are looking to expand your family by adding in another little child, that is great news. However, one thing you can worry about is how you will get your other children ready for the new arrival. There are likely to be a lot of emotions from the little ones and you want to make sure they are excited but reassured that the new baby won’t replace them and they will have the same amount of love, care and attention. This is particularly the case if the children you already have are young as they can be a bit more sensitive.
Read books to them about having a new sibling
There are many books out there that you can read with your child to show them how great it is to have a younger sibling. This is a simple way to get them used to the idea and to spread a subliminal message of how much they can enjoy it once they have a new brother or sister. You can also get them dolls to get used to having their own little “baby” and show them TV shows which display siblings. This will make them prepared ahead of time and look forward to the new baby rather than being sad about it.
Have them help you pick out new things for the baby
You are going to need to get an abundance of new items for the baby, so why not have your child help you pick some things out? This will get them excited and looking forward to it as they will feel like they are helping out. Whether you go shopping in a store or online somewhere such as Foryourlittleone, there are many options for you to choose from. You could also get them a present too, perhaps a t-shirt saying “best big sister/ brother” that will make them feel proud.
Ensure you put aside a slot to spend quality time with them on their own
When you are pregnant and especially when the new baby arrives, it is important that you put aside time to spend quality time with your older child. This will mean that they never feel left out and are happy as they get someone one-to-one bonding time with you. It is also a good time where you can speak to them and find out how they are feeling and if they are having any issues or feeling a certain way. It is important to always give your children dedicated attention so they don’t feel forgotten.
These are just a few simple ways that you can get your child ready for a new sibling. By ensuring they know they will still be just as loved and cherished when the baby arrives as they are now, there is nothing to worry about. Be sure to keep open communication with your child and if they are feeling sad or misbehaving, try to figure out why this is and how you can help.