Book Suggestions for Siblings-to-be

Updated on May 09, 2011
J.H. asks from San Juan Capistrano, CA
7 answers

I am looking for recommendations on books that will help get my 5 year old ready to be a big brother. Up until now he's been our one and only. We have been openly talking about it every day and he by all accounts seems excited, but I'm sure the reality of it hasn't hit him just yet. I am looking for themes that revolve around big brother/big sister helping out with the baby, mom and dad sometimes being busy (changing diapers, feeding etc.), and of course the fact that he/she will not be the only one any more. Anything to help ease the transition, I know this will be a big change for him. Thanks for the suggestions!

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So What Happened?

What great responses! Thank you so much, I appreciate the tips, especially about the sibling classes. I didn't even think about that. My boy is a big reader so books are what I naturally thought about first. As with many families these days, we live away from our extended family so my son doesn't interact with his cousins/grandparents/etc., and both my husband and I work, so we are pretty isolated from a large-family lifestyle, otherwise it would have been easier to introduce him to the concept.

More Answers

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

This isn't exactly what you are looking for as far as it being about helping out, but it's a good one. It's called I Love You the Purplest, and it's about how a mom loves one son the bluest and one the redest because they are both different and she loves them differently, but not one more than the other. It has beautiful watercolor pictures, too. It's a very sweet book. A friend of mine gave it to my 6 year old when his brother was born. We all still love it, 7 years later. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

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A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm not sure about books, but you might see if your local Y has a sibling class. My friend took her daughter to help her prepare for the new baby. I don't know what all the class involved, but she got a certificate at the end, saying she was ready to be a big sister. She loved that and she has handled the transition really well. (she is 4)

Good luck!!

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Ask at the library. Our library has various parts in a parenting section. One part is about this topic.

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B.M.

answers from Honolulu on

There is an awesome book called "I'm going to be a big brother" by Brenda Bercun and Sue Gross. I have a 4yr old little girl who became a big sister 5 months ago and this book helped so much. She still asks me to read it. They have one for each of the sexes. I thought she was going to have such a hard time since I spent four years alone with just her. She had all of Mommy and Daddy's attention. She did better than I thought after the first initial two weeks. The first two weeks were hard but got so much better after that. She helps out so much now. All I can say is get your son involved. It is a pain in the butt to let them help do things but still try and let them. I let her help change diapers and get me wipes. She got me clothes out of the drawer and I let her pick outfits for the baby to wear. They are so awesome at this age to be big siblings. Anyway good luck and congrats. Get this book.

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C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

have him choose a gift for the baby. so what if it is inappropriate. My daughter got sponge bob bandaids. and buy a gift for him that will be from the baby after she is born.

there is a berenstein bears book. I do not remember what it is called. go to Borders they should have plenty of choices.

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P.W.

answers from Lexington on

Our older son is a year younger than yours, but a book that really helped us get him ready for the arrival of his baby brother was "Babies Don't Eat Pizza."

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L.L.

answers from San Diego on

I got a couple great books written by the author of "what to expect..."
It helped my son understand what to expect when his baby brother arrived. I think the one title was "what to expect when your baby brother comes home". I'm sorry I wish I could remember the title. Just look for the author of "what to expect when you're expecting". Hope this helps. Good luck and congratulations! :)

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