My son will be 3 years old when his little brother or sister is born. We will also be moving into a new home a few months after the birth of the new baby, so I am a little worried how these big changes will affect him. Any suggestions on how to prepare him?
2007-01-22 04:21:46 · 14 answers · asked by Chewie 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Because he will be going through so many changes, prepare for some regression. Children will often take a step back with a big change in their life. If he does regress, just be patient with him and empathize when he is feeling upset (“I can tell you’re feeling (upset, mad, left out, frustrated)).” Empathizing with him will really help him to communicate his feelings.
Before the baby arrives, get him a “Big brother” shirt. Let him wear it out in public. People will say to him “You’re a big brother!” He will begin to feel proud. If he is going to be at home when the baby arrives, don’t carry the baby inside. Leave the baby in the car (supervised of course) and go get your son. Tell him “Let’s go get your (brother/sister).” It will be much easier on him this way.
Make sure you give him lots of extra love and attention after the baby’s arrival. When the baby is sleeping, read him a story, do an art project together, have him help you make a snack or prepare dinner. Also, have him help you with the baby. He can pick out the baby’s outfit, sing to the baby, get the bath wash for the baby’s bath. He will feel proud to help and feel proud to be a big brother.
He may feel very jealous of the baby because was the center of your world for a long time and he will have to share you. He may start to feel powerless. Help him to feel powerful by saying things like "You did that by yourself! You stacked every block! You can run super fast! Look how high you can climb! You used so many colors on your picture!" He will see that you notice him. This is a great way to show your attention and love and help him to feel powerful and confident. If he keeps getting messages like these, he should ease into this easily without too much jealousy.
You can also get him some books so he has a better idea on what to expect before the baby comes home. The New Baby-Fred Rogers, My New Baby-Annie Kubler, Waiting for Baby-Annie Kubler, The New Baby at Your House-Joanna Cole are some good ones.
As for the move, try and expose him to his new home as much as possible. If you can, drive by to let him see it often. Show him places such as parks and schools nearby where he can play. Talk about how he will decorate his new room and the new friends he will make. Be very animated about it when you speak of the move. If he is feeling stressed about the move, empathize. If he sees that you are happy about the changes, he should be as well.
Hope this helps! Good luck to you and congratulations!
2007-01-22 08:42:42 · answer #1 · answered by marnonyahoo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
WHEN IT GETS CLOSER TO THE TIME START TALKING ABOUT THE BABY AND WHERE IT IS AND WHEN IT'S TIME YOUR GOING TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND BRING IT HOME. IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR FAMILY THAT HAVE A BABY, BE AROUND THEM AND TELL YOUR SON, YOU'LL BE HAVING A BABY LIKE THAT. KIDS ADAPT EASILY, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. GOES FOR THE MOVE TOO, JUST TALK ABOUT IT WITH HIM AND TAKE HIM WITH YOU TO SEE THE NEW HOUSE AND HIS ROOM.
2007-01-22 04:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When she first comes to visit you and the new baby have a present ready for your toddler from the new baby. I did this for all my children and they still talk about the presents they received (from the baby). Lots of related stories eg When the Teddy Bears came. Usborne books The New Baby. There are many more available, go to your local library or book store they will help you. Dont talk too much to her about the baby but do answer all questions when asked, sometimes too much info can be given which could stress her, shes only a toddler. Involve her when she shows an interest, basicall y take her lead. I had no problems, thankfully. Although I have friends whos children were terribly jealous. Good Luck and dont stress.
2016-05-24 17:57:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 kids.Abby 4,Aiden 2, and Elizabeth 3 months.To prepare my kids for the baby I got a baby doll and showed them how to hold it and then have them do it.And just let your son know that you will still love him.Thats what worried me the most was my children would think i didn;t love them as much as the new baby
2007-01-22 04:26:51 · answer #4 · answered by Lizzie 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Separate out the two events that faces him and deal with one thing at a time.
Start with the new baby. Let him feel the baby move in your belly and talk about how once he was in there and is now this perfect wonderful little man that you love so much. Let him realize that another person is also waiting to come out and be part of your family. Let him help put the nursery together and ask him for advise about what to feed the baby, etc. Bottom line is that another baby is coming and your attention is going to be diverted off him. This is where your husband MUST come in and be part of these conversations. It's your husband that has to pick up where you used to be.
After the baby comes then you start to talk about moving.
Good luck!
2007-01-22 04:27:48 · answer #5 · answered by Sciencemom 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well...to my favorite Canadian Wookie~our son had just turned 4 when little brother came along.
We actually bought him a doll...a soft one and showed him how to wrap it and hold it...and he would rock it...and it opened up a door, of sorts, to talk about a new baby. And we found books on the subject.
I will say that they are far more resilient to change than we realize.
As long as you include your son in preparations...even have him help you wash and fold the new baby clothes...simple things to make him feel a part of it all...he will be excited.
Best of luck to you!
2007-01-22 08:36:50 · answer #6 · answered by YuckItUp 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
make it a game, let him help out alot, and he will be fine. Make sure he is included in helping with that baby though. My daughters are 4 and 5. They get along great, my oldest used to help out so much. even if it was to get a diaper. She was only one of two then. You have a three year old. use that to your advantage. He can help move, and help with the baby also. Let him be the big brother. congrats.
2007-01-22 04:32:30 · answer #7 · answered by sr22racing 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as far as the new baby buy him a doll with lots of dolly add ons like a bottle and a diaper and teach him how to care for the baby some dolly extras like a stroller and carseat may help too
2007-01-22 04:24:41 · answer #8 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am having a baby in 3 weeks, and my son is almost 2 and a half. we are a military family, and about 2 months after the baby is born we are leaving our home in phoenix and going back to my parents in michigan for about a month, and then we are moving to Germany. My husband is going straight from phoenix to germany. so - big changes here too! there is only so much you can do with a young child to prepare them for such drastic changes. i talk to my son about it all the time, about the new baby coming, and then saying goodbye to daddy for a while and staying with grandma and grandpa, and then flying on a big airplane to live somewhere new, far away. i figure the more we talk about it, the more ready he will be. i also have a few book about a new baby, and a few about moving. we read them often.
when these changes finally take place, i just plan on being as relaxed as possible with my son, and trying to be as supportive as i can of his feelings. i am sure he will be scared, worried, confused, etc... but we will make it all fun, a big adventure.
good luck with your new baby, the move, and your toddler!
2007-01-22 05:01:24 · answer #9 · answered by Rebecca O 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get him something to take care of, make sure he's gentle, buy books about being a big brother, and read them to him, tell what an honer it will be,
2007-01-22 05:00:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OH!!! I have a great answer for you because I just went throught the EXACT same thing! Tell you son that the baby is for him. I know it sounds wierd but it really works. Refer to the new baby as "his baby". Say thinks like, "uh oh, your baby needs a diaper change", or "your baby needs a bottle". Then he will not think that you have another child in addition to him, but a new child for him to play with. Also, buy your son a gift and tell him it is from the new baby. Give it to him when he comes to visit you in the hopital and he will feel special. Good luck!
2007-01-22 05:02:28 · answer #11 · answered by snowangel_az 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋