Preparing your child to become a big brother or sister

So, you’re belly has begun to swell and your child is starting to understand that there is another baby on the way. In most instances, this news is greeted with both sadness and delight. One minute, your child can’t wait to be a big brother or sister and the next instant, they are throwing a tantrum and angry at the thought of sharing all the attention. Sibling rivalry usually starts right after, (or even before) the arrival of the second child. The older child often becomes aggressive, “acts out” or even regresses. It’s important to prepare your older child when you know you are expecting a new baby. Kids need to know what to expect, and they need time to adjust. So what is a pregnant, hormonal mother to do?

There are a number of things you can do to make the transition easier on your child. The first and most important of tasks is to include your child in the process of having a baby. Allow your child to “own the role” of being a big brother or big sister. Allow your child to pick out something special for the new baby like a toy or decoration for the baby’s room.

Discuss changes that will occur ahead of time. Let your child know about the things that will be different so there are no big surprises once the baby arrives.

Check with your hospital to see if they offer sibling tours or classes designed to help your little one adjust to the transition.


Tape a picture of your child to the baby’s crib. It will help make the big sister or big brother feel important.

Always include your child in helping with the baby so they don’t feel left out and most importantly, set aside special time every day to focus on your child. Giving your older attention and focus will make him (or her) feel loved and reassured.

A mixed reaction to the new baby is normal and to be expected, so take a deep breath and give yourself a break! As we all know by now, Change Is always strange at first!

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CHANGE IS STRANGE WANTS YOUR FEEDBACK

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! 5 titles and four years later, Change Is Strange wants to know how to grow with you and your children. We want to know about your “transition challenges”. We want to hear about the good, the bad and the ugly. The more we talk with each other as parents, the more helpful we become to one another. Raising children is a challenge. There is no need to reinvent the wheel every time we encounter a roadblock. To this day, I’m thankful to my mother for sharing with me the import of talking your children through change. She is the one that explained to me how important it is to telegraph coming events and experience so that your child doesn’t feel as though they are constantly dodging curve balls. I’m thankful for my friends for being honest with me about their spirited children, shy children, ADHD children, and all the children in between. I’m thankful to Change Is Strange for being able to help kids and their parents through some of life’s challenges, BUT we want to do more! We want more book titles, more personalization, more readers and a more active community. We promise to listen so let’s hear it!

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