Since my only child is on the verge of becoming a big brother, I have been researching ways to help ease the transition to siblinghood for him... well really for all of us b/c when Big Brother To Be ain't happy, none of us are happy. Believe me.
I have gotten some good advice from friends, as well as online and in magazines. Here are some things I'm planning on trying before and after Little Brother arrives.
1) Baby Doll. Get a baby doll for my older child to play with. He used to love his old baby doll (the one my dogs decapitated) so I'm going to get another one for him. I think we'll change its diaper, sing it songs, and do all kinds of neat stuff with it. I am hoping it at least gets him used to the idea of a baby. And hey...it worked for my first babies (those 2 previously mentioned dogs) so surely it will help with my human baby.
2) Present. I'm going to get him a present from his baby brother. Surely if the baby gets him a new Elmo doll or tool set, he'll fall in love quickly, wouldn't you?
3) Keep Some Things The Same. I plan on keeping at least one or two things the same every day. I am usually the one who puts him down for bed at night and his dad usually gives him his bath, so I am hoping to keep that routine going. I know it won't be possible every night, but I'm going to try.
4) My Helper. Let him help. He is going to be my Official Diaper Helper (ODH). This worked with my friend's little boy, so I hope it works with mine.
5) Mommy Time. Spend time throughout the day with just him. I know that it will probably be broken into 4-5 minute spurts of time, but that's fine. I just want to touch base with him throughout the day to help ease him into having to share me.
I will let you know how it goes. I still have about three months to get everything ready, so there's no rush and no panicking as of yet, but we'll see what the future holds. *smile*
