How to Prepare Your Child for a New Sibling

Giving your child a new sibling could be the best gift they ever receive. As adults, many of us consider our brothers and sisters to be our best friends and our fiercest protectors. Being raised together means sharing in so many experiences and having endless memories in common. There is no denying the sibling relationship is unique and special. But what happens when that new baby brother or sister first shows up at the house? Your young child probably isn’t quite able to grasp the glorious sibling bond that awaits him; in fact, he’s likely not interested in sharing mom and dad at all.

Depending on their age, children will react differently to a new baby sibling. Don’t be surprised if you see signs of jealousy, resentment, and even a little regression into behaviors they had when they were younger. However, with some careful preparation and lots of gentle conversation, you can avoid any serious sibling rivalry and pave the way for a beautiful lifelong friendship.

Call in the village

As much as you’d like to be able to consistently focus on the feelings of your older kids following the birth of their new sibling, you can be sure that the new baby will demand A LOT of your time and energy. You will need quality one-on-one time to get to know your new bundle of joy, and you’ll likely feel guilty and spread thin if your older kiddos aren’t getting the attention they need.

When this happens, it’s time to call in the reinforcements! Have some special people ready to step in and help, such as grandparents, favorite babysitters, and best friends. You might even pre-arrange some special outings; buy mini-golf passes, movie passes, or arcade tickets to hand out to those willing and ready to help care for the older siblings