For those of you with older kids-how are did you prepare them for the baby?

[Belle25]

Hi ladies,
I am due in Nov and my little girl is 5. She will have had nearly 6 years of being the only one by the time baby is here, and I am worried when out little baby girl arrives she is going to feel very pushed out.
Anyone got any tips on how to avoid this and how to help her adjust?
Thanks
xx

 

[Lawhra]

I have a 9 year age gap (almost, Louis turned 9 almost a month after Aidie was born) so is different. But I explained that a lot of people would be coming to see the baby and the baby would get lots of attention but that is because people love babies. I told him they would want to meet and get to know Aidie and it was the same when he was a baby.
I reassured him that he is loved just as much as the baby would be. Thankfully he is old enough to understand and has adjusted very well. He was totally unfazed by the baby get lots of attention, cuddles and gifts and his behaviour at school has improved!! He loves his brother very much

For a younger child a gift from and to the baby can help. Also not holding the baby when your first born sees you both for the first time. Ensuring they get plenty of cuddles and being involved with baby is good. Asking them to help will help them feel involved, maybe fetching things or singing to baby.

 

[Blondie_xx]

My little girl was 5 when my son was born, she's just turned 6 now and is great with him no jealousy which I was worried about! When I was pregnant she sometimes said funny things n I was worried how she'd be but so far so good! It is hard sometimes when she wants me to so stuff with her n I'm busy with baby but it's not been to bad. I found it very hard at the beginning cuz she wanted to help too much n I had to tell her.
I'm sure she'll love being a big sis xx

 

[Belle25]

Thanks for your advice ladies, feel better after reading your posts. Sure will all be fine when baby is here, just me worrying!
xx

 

[nugget80]

my girls are 9 and 10 and while i was pregnant we used to look up and see how baby grew each week in my tummy and once they read baby could hear they would talk and sing to my tummy... they found it fascinating! my elder daughter adapted really easy but my 9 yr old had had 9 yrs of being the baby and she was a little worried about becoming a big sister. her behaviour went a little down hill before the baby came along but once baby was here she was just so excited. as baby got lots of new clothes and pressies i bought the girls a nice outfit each from baby. (something a bit special they would not have just had for every day wear!)

 

[kerrie24]

My 5 year old daughter is like Owens second mummy
Just make sure they feel included even in small tasks such as packing the nappy bag,fetching a bib etc,they will be happy to help.And praise them for how helpfull they are and tell people what great big sister/brother they are.