Welcoming a new baby into the family is cause for celebration - but can also create anxiety for older siblings. What will the baby be like? And how will this new arrival change my world? My family? (Thread 🧵) - ThreadSky

danwuori.bsky.social • 79 days ago

Welcoming a new baby into the family is cause for celebration - but can also create anxiety for older siblings.

What will the baby be like? And how will this new arrival change my world? My family?

(Thread 🧵)

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danwuori.bsky.social•79 days ago

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is set realistic expectations in the build up to the new baby’s arrival.

While it’s tempting to describe the new brother or sister as a playmate and new best friend, the truth is that newborns can be a little underwhelming to their siblings.

danwuori.bsky.social•79 days ago

They sleep a lot, can’t carry on a conversation, and aren’t ready to go running off to the playground just yet.

A preferable approach may be to set the expectation that the baby will be very small - and need everyone’s help to grow and learn.

danwuori.bsky.social•79 days ago

Discuss roles your older child can play in welcoming and caring for the new baby - and be prepared for lots of questions.

danwuori.bsky.social•79 days ago

Importantly, carve out special one-on-one time with each child daily after the baby’s arrival - providing concrete reassurance that they are still loved and valued, just as before.

danwuori.bsky.social•79 days ago

I love this little one’s unexpected observation, which reminds us that children don’t always know quite what to expect when it comes to new babies.

This sweet video was shared to TT by William Santangelo.

sielulintu.bsky.social•78 days ago

When out second child was born, we kept telling our first child (who was 2) things like "When you were little, you couldn't walk or talk and you had to be carried everywhere and fed just like [sibling]." One day, first child said "When I was little, my name was [sibling]."

sielulintu.bsky.social•78 days ago

*our second child, not out

heytheredude.bsky.social•77 days ago

Every time I see this, it makes me wheeze with laughter.

amymarie3456.bsky.social•78 days ago

I like giving a doll at the hospital that can be fed, changed, etc and when the older sibling wants to help, they can take care of “their baby”. Also, good to know if the older one clamoring for attention, they may not be getting enough attention & it’s a sign for more 1:1 time not criticism.

saoirsethistime.bsky.social•79 days ago

Gave me a good chuckle! When my daughter’ daughter came in after delivery of baby brother she looked at him and said “What are you going to do with him?”

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