Your Older Child And Your Newborn

Win-Win Solution On Sibling Relationship

Ever wondered how does your older child feel about an additional family member? Don’t be surprised if he seem to be cold to the new baby. Well, try to imagine your husband bringing home a new wife and tried to convince you what a great idea it is! That’s exactly how your child feels like.

So take these simple tips to enforce a good sibling relationship:

• Make a plan while you are still in the hospital. If your older children/child hasn’t visited you yet, he will be eager to see you. When you get home, let somebody else carry your newborn and greet your older child. Be sure to hug him with open arms.
• To avoid jealousy with the older children, let them be actively involved in caring for your newborn.
• Fit your newborn into the household routine rather than change the routine to suit your baby.
• Ask the older kids to teach your baby how to smile. And when the baby smiles back, praise your older child.
• Award your older child with new privileges like a larger bed or new simple responsibilities, if only to emphasize his seniority.

Do not give up so easily if you ‘re not getting good results at once. Harmony doesn’t happen overnight. Try a little patience and remember, a good sibling relationship roots from how we parent our children.

Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to ‘jump at de sun.’ We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.

- Cute saying by Zora Neale Hurston