Need some advice....?

Question

I am due in 7 weeks, and we have an almost 3 year old son... (we are having a girl this time), and I am wondering what to do about this issue.... My son had some baby toys when he was an infant, and he eventually stopped playing with them... It has been nearly two year since I put them away. Now we are getting them out and redy for the new baby, and he seems to be attached to them again.. Sitting on the floor and playing with the baby gym, trying to fit into the infant car seat, sucking on binkies (those weren't his though... he never liked them until now... he now tries to sneak through the house all day with them in his mouth)... and taking his old toys to his room, saying "mine"... He doesn't like to share... but of course he is gonna have to learn.. lol... Here lately he has been having frequent attitude problems, and etc... I am wondering what your opinions are on this and what I should do... Any Ideas would be great.... Thanks!!!

Answer 1

He's likely regressing a bit, since he knows your attention is elsewhere. He may not fully understand what's going on (that you'll be actually bringing a baby home to live with you, forever), and your preparations are making him anxious. I'd ignore him for the most part- your new baby won't be ready for anything for awhile, aside from the infant seat, so just let him get reacquainted with the old toys, and once you establish a new routine with the new baby, he'll adjust too. Good luck.

Answer 2

Some of his "attachment" is due to simply a "new" toy around again. You stated they have been put away for about 2 years so he may remember them but doesnt miss them. I would opt for keeping him in the equation and simply talking to him about this new baby coming and these old toys are going to be for the new baby. He can still play with them but with the new baby.

I think the key is communication in most (if not all) cases when dealing with children (of any age)

Answer 3

Are you talking about my son? haha! I had a 2yr. old last yr. when I delivered my 2nd son. EXACT SAME behavior! It's totally normal, and you may or may not be able to change it anytime soon. Trying to discourage use of the paci, or toys is fine, but don't push too hard. He's likely just experiementing with these things (afterall, they are fun to play with) And the more you push him, the more he will want to "remain" in that baby stage. I couldn't keep mine out of the swing, or bouncy seat, but when I stopped worrying about it....guess what, he didn't care anymore either! I think they sometimes just see what they can do to get a rise out of you, especially when they are about to be in competition! Any attention is better than none for a toddler, so they tend to look for trouble to get into when they feel they're not getting enough. I hope this helps. Remember, be patient with your toddler, he is going to go through an adjustment period, but it will pass. After my second baby came along, I became more passive... Ex. If my toddler got into something, or got into the baby toys, or seats, I asked myself "is this something that will harm him or the baby"? ...and if not, then I just learned to let it go! Good luck and congrats

Answer 4

Most toddlers regress and want to be a baby when you've got a newborn. You can help him by getting some picture books about having a new brother or sister, and reading them to him. Stress how great it is to be a big brother and how much more he's allowed to do than a little baby. Point out that babies can't walk, can't talk, can't pick things up, and so on. Soon he'll feel that he's too big for being a baby.

Answer 5

STOP over analyzing. We as parents of more then one child tend to read much more into our children's emotions, ESPECIALLY when we are in an emotional state ourselves. You are concerned about how your little cutie is going to react to your new addition and the closer you get to your due date the more effort you put in trying to ensure his role as "mommy's little man who won't be forgotten" he get's it! The reason he is becoming so attached to these old toys is simple THEY ARE NEW TOYS to him. He has interacted with these things for so long he simply enjoying add to the fact he FEEls that the purpose is for interaction with the new baby. If I were you I would enlist his help in making 2 baby gift bags 1for him to store the items that he thinks the baby would like most, allow him to be responsible for keeping this bag for baby. (It will most likely have the things he wants to play with.) Bag #2 will be the left overs and go into a bag for mommy to give to baby. Let your little one enjoy the items in his bag when he wants you keep adding to your bag everytime he leaves something lying around.

Answer 6

My son did the same thing. He was facinated with all the "new" stuff coming out for the baby. We let him have one toy out of that stuff, and he still plays with it at 3 and a half. That way his little brother didnt get all of his stuff...lol.
As far s the attitude.. welcome to the terrible twos...lol The threes are worse, but I undertand at 4 it evens out. Good luck!

Answer 7

well, tell him about the new installment into the family...talk to him frequently about how he is going to have a new sister and how he should care for and love her. Maybe take to the playground and get him to play with other kids without yelling or throwing a fit, the easier he find it to be around other children the easier it will be for him to share not only with his sister but with other children...good luck!!!

Answer 8

So your family will become a balanced home. You will have to handle your son with extreme tact. Also, take a child psychologist's "appropriately discrete" help, with much caution, if necessary.