Letting Older Siblings Help with the New Baby
Shannon Miller
It is so exciting when you bring home a new baby. Family and friends come over to see the new member of the family. When friends and family arrive to see the new little one they bring in gifts and forget all about the older sibling. Everybody is making such a fuss over the new little one that they forget about the other child. It can take an emotional toll on most children no matter what their age is. They have been the baby for so long they never thought about having to share mom and dad with anyone else. Older siblings don't understand why everyone is paying the new baby so much attention and not even noticing them. Most kids will act out in situations like this to get attention from family and friends. If parents and other family members would let the older child get involved they would feel wanted and noticed and have no need for acting out. Bringing a gift for them would also help out with some of the emotional issues. If they had their mind on a new toy then they would not even think about acting out. Letting older siblings bring mom and dad diapers, wipes, ointment, clothes or anything for the baby. It makes the older child feel important like they are needed. Allowing them to get involved with the new baby will make the older child love and grow closer to the baby. Never leave the two of them alone. Do let the older sibling make simple decisions for the baby. Such as what shirt to wear, what bottle to use or what bath towel to use. There are so many decisions that they can make in the babies life without even affecting the baby. It just helps the older child feel more involved with the new baby. It also makes the older child feel more grown up because mom and dad are trusting them to make decisions for the new baby. Although these things may seem so minor to you and I. They are a very big deal to a small child. All of these things are positive points when raising a child and a new baby. These points can make bringing in a new baby a wonderful transition for the whole family.
About the author: Shannon Miller is the mom of 5 children. Be sure and stop by her sites for free information and advice on parenting. www.parentingfroma-z.com and www.asthmainfosite.com and www.kidstoybin.com