One week today and my baby is going to be here. Is it just me or has this been the fastest pregnancy known to mama-kind? Usually it is only other women’s pregnancies that go quickly. I have now officially run out of time and it looks as though, among other things, I never will get around to having those pregnancy blood tests done.
I will, however, prep the Biggies on the arrival of their new sibling. I have never actually witnessed sibling jealousy in my household, particularly with regards to a new baby. Never has a nose been out of joint over a new arrival. Perhaps my kids don’t know how it feels to have an empire come crashing down since they’ve never really experienced having an empire.
Regardless, I’m covering my bases. I like the arrival of a new baby to be the celebration it should be and whether it’s baby #1 or baby #6, there are some things that never lose their novelty. There are a few tricks I have up the sleeve as a means of avoiding the reluctant sibling:
MAKE IT THEIR EVENT: the night before baby arrives (all c-sections, so no mystery around here), the Biggies make banners announcing “It’s a Boy” and “It’s a Girl” and blow up blue and pink balloons. When the news gets to them the next morning, they have a great time decorating the front of the house with the appropriate sign and balloons. Sharing news with the neighbours ranks high in their books.
FOCUS ON THEIR NEW ROLES: When the kids come to the hospital to meet the new baby, they are all donning shirts that brag about their new status. They wear their ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Big Sister’ t-shirts with great pride.
HAVE A GENEROUS BABY: I don’t know about you, but my babies don’t arrive into this world empty handed. They suck up to the older siblings with books, dvds and craft supplies. Babies who bring prezzies are instantly popular with Biggies.
LET THEM EAT CAKE: Our first day home from hospital becomes a birthday party for new baby, with cake and all. New baby equals cake consumption – no complaints from the Biggies about that.
SPREAD THE BABY LOVE AMONG THEIR FRIENDS: Nothing makes a Biggie more proud than gloating about the new babe. We do the “show and share” rounds for the school-aged kiddos when babe is about a week old. Biggie sits at front of class holding babe while friends gather around and have the opportunity to sneeze on new infant or poke new infant’s soft spot. All that germ sharing is worth it when you see the pride in Biggie’s face.
Check back on or after April 26th for the baby news. Please keep fingers crossed – I’m hoping to prove that six c-sections is not an unreasonable demand put on any one uterus!
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Can’t wait to hear the news and details on the new baby! You have it down pat Julie! The big “sibling” t’s are just perfect!
yay! so exciting!
i remember that your rules for prepping new siblings was one of the main things i took away from your ‘momma to many’ talk. such great ideas!
i haven’t had a C-section, but if I ever do, and find myself nursing my wounds with a bit too much self-pity, i will remember that 7 days from surgery you were in a grade 3 classroom showing off the final product!
all the best! i hope everything goes really well for you and the whole fam. can’t wait to hear the news!
Precious! And well-dispensed! I am thinking of you!!!
Lou xo
I can’t believe you are having a baby next week! Good luck!
Awesome, Julie! I love your sibling preparations. We have never experienced any new baby jealousy around here either – no child ever had a chance to get too comfy on their own before another one was on its way.
Our babies always arrived bearing gifts too. I love the big bday celebration though – if we were having more we’d do that for sure!
Good luck and we will be anxiously awaiting the news!!!!!
Sounds like you’re all set!
Can’t wait to hear the good news. Take care of yourself!
Thinking of you…
so much fun. thank you for these tips. i am having a csection next thursday and my 4 year old is not too thrilled. poor guy! i hope these tips will cheer him up