When my son was born, we got my daughter a special boy baby that she could take home from the hospital just like mommy. She loved it. My son is now about to be a big brother to another little boy. he will be 20 months. I am wondering what kind of special gift we could give him, and I guess my daughter (now 3), too. She still plays with the 1st baby doll, and my son has taken over some of her dolls. So a doll is not totally out of the question, but our collection seems to be growing, and I was wondering if anyone had any different ideas of special gifts.
Thanks so much.
What about going to Build a Bear Workshop and getting him his own animal versus a doll, if that is a problem. They have clothing that starts at about $5.00 for a t-shirt to put on the animal. Just a thought!!
Maybe you already have this, but what about little sling carriers for their special 'babies'? I've seen them around for about $15 or if you're extra crafty, you could make them.
Good luck.
Maybe since the doll collection is growing, get them both t-shirts that proclaim their "big"-ness. Get her a Big Sister shirt and him a Big Brother shirt. And maybe get them a little teddy bear or something to give the baby.
My son gave his new baby sister (born 12/20/07) a very soft cute lil lamb with a pink ribbon around the neck.
Just an idea. Hope you find something that works!
Good Luck!
When my son was born we bought, wrapped and packed special "hospital" gifts into my hospital bag. We got things that our daughter could quietly play with in the hospital when she visited me. Puzzles, new crayons and a coloring book, and movies since the hospital had a vcr and dvd player and TV in every room. We were actually encouraged to bring movies and snacks (our room also had a fridge in it) for our daughter by the nursing staff.
Another thing we did was buy something small (like a book) for our daughter that was "from" the baby. As well as a gift to the baby "from" big sister. This made her feel really special.
Just a side note, my daughter was 3 1/2 when my son was born.
Conrats!!!
My oldest was almost 3 when our 2nd child was born. I gave her a Fisher Price doctor's kit so she could help take care of us in the hospital. It also doubled as a veterinarian kit. ;-)
S.,
When we had our 3rd child, I made up sweatshirts that said Big Brother and Big Sister on them. The thought of adding anymore "toys" to the house seemed crazy. I made them up in advance and we really played up the sweatshirts as a big deal. The kids could not wear them until the day they got to meet their new sister at the hospital. We took lots of pictures. Not only were they proud to have a little sister, but they were extra proud to show that they were the big brother/sister. It was also fun for them to have other people comment to them when we were out and about.
Congrats on the new baby. We love having 4 kids!
K.
I have 3 younger brothers and I remember my mom doing something special for each of us.
The first brother baby she did get me a doll (I was almost 2).
The second brother baby we got to draw a picture of the new family on your shirts. (sad to say I don't have this shirt any more but I remember being at the hospital; drawing my mom, dad, brother and new baby on the shirt).
The third brother baby each of us kids (minus the new baby) got to make a handprint sweatshirt. Each member of the family put one handprint on the shirt (this was done ahead of time). When my last brother was born we got the shirts at the hospital. When we got home with the new little one my mom put a baby's handprint on each of your shirts. (I still have this sweatshirt in storage, it does not fit any more but it is something special for me to this day)
Hope these ideas help... I can't think of anything else off hand.
When my son was born in August, 2006, my oldest son was 3. He was so excited, but yet a little apprehensive. A week before my due date, we went and picked out some really big spiderman balloons (his favorite), and a huge stuffed dinosaur that he had his eye on for a gift. Our oldest came to the hospital after the birth, we all had lunch together, and we let him get acquainted with his little brother. When we all came home, my mom had decorated a little bit, put out the balloons, and had a big bow around the dinosaur. He loved it, and was so excited. Hope that helps a little bit. Good Luck! M. D.
I was never in to dolls much when I was little, but I do remember that when my little sister was born, that my Dad took me to the store to pick something out, before we went to the hospital to take them home. I picked out a stuffed animal that made a purring type noise, it was called a Chubble, I think. Anyway, I still remember that toy and how special it made me feel, when everyone seemed to be focusing on the new baby. I do not think it is important what you give them, as long as it involves attention!!
Let them help in the choosing of how to decorate the new baby's room. Take them to the store and in a combine effort help them to choose the "theme." Maybe the paint color from some ideas you have. Get them involved in the name choosing. My 6yo daughter loves the fact that she "picked out" her sisters name. Hubs and I chose a few faves and then asked our oldest which she liked better. We did this over a few weeks time and she always chose the same name. So, that's what we went with. Give them choices you like in some area and let them choose out of that. Believe me, they will get a big kick out of telling family and friends that they picked out "such and such."
I S., Congrats on the new baby! When we had our twins, my Aunt had these T-Shirts made for our older 2 kids. For the oldest it said I'm the big sister of twins and had a "big" girl on it and then a little one, and 2 babies with all their names on it. For the other middle one her shirt said I'm the big sister of twins and had her and then the babys with all their names on it. They were cute. And when my 2nd was born we had shirs made that said Big sister, Little sister. You could do that as far as big sister middle brother and little brother. Many of the doc, and nurses will make a big deal to your kids if they wear them up to the hospital to see their new baby. Good luck!
What about some kind of picture frame that you or the kids could decorate. The picture frame could be from the baby and the kids could put a new family picture in it, or a picture of them and the baby for their room. They would also be able to show friends and family the picture! Another idea would be color wonder markers and book, those little foam stickers, or any other craft supplies. That way they would have a new, fun gift that would keep them busy when you are busy with the new baby!
My 2 year old son loved his fisher price digital camera. He got it at grandma's when they were heading to the hospital to meet his new brother. We were all blind but he was very happy.
C.
I'm not sure if your are dealing with the kids' issues with becoming a big brother/sister; or if you are trying to make them feel "special" during the transition. With my kids (I have 4) I have always wanted them to feel special and to know that Mommy is thinking of them even when so much else is going on. So, I would pick them out a new pair of warm, soft and snuggly pajamas. They were then given these 'jammies the first night that they spent away from me while I was at the hospital. This made them feel that they were special as well as feeling that Mommy was near even though they couldn't be with me. They loved the gift and those 'jammies usually became their new favorites. Hope this helps.
We did something fun with my two daughters when my son was born. I took the girls to the store before their brother was born and they each got to choose a small gift for him. Then my husband and I went to the store and bought a relatively small toy that each girl really wanted. When my husband brought them to the hospital to meet their new brother they brought their gifts. They were very surprised when we told them that their brother had gotten them some gifts too. They were delighted and had fun trying to figure out how their brother got them presents when he had just been born. It was fun to see how delighted and surprised they were. Little brother was tops in their books that day.
I really like the doll idea...cabbagepatch dolls are my fav since you can pick one out with the same coloring, eyes, hair, as your own child. When my son was born we went to Babies R Us bought her a shirt that said "I'm the big Sister" She wore it with great pride when she came with Daddy to take us home. All the nurses made a fuss about it "ARE YOU THE BIG SISTER????" She loved it. She wore her special shirt when we had our first couple outtings with the new baby and she'd tell people "I'm the big sister!"
I have 5 kids, 4 of them boys. We too got them special gifts when a new baby was born. We've done shirts, cars, and others. I don't think it matters what the gift is, just the meaning behind it. The special gifts for our older kids were from their new sibling, with the explanation that they were so excited to have such a neat big brother/sister and that they love them so much.
My oldest still treasures the Bugs Life t-shirt he got even though it is too small and his little brother now wears it. He even tells the little brother why the shirt is so cool.
My boys didn't play with dolls, but they loved "action figures". Their GI Joes or Rescue Heroes or even a stuffed animal woudl work.
I honestly never thought my kids needed anything special at every event in their lives. Sometime our society keeps giving things and we don't recognize that nothing matches the gift you have....a new baby. My opinion when I had my second and third child, was that their sibling was the gift.
My daughter was 19 months whne we had baby #2 and we got he a new mgana doodle. We had it at the hospital and when she came up for the first time it was waiting for her. It was nice to have something to keep her entertained....and out other visitors had fun with it too.
My kids are now 14-12-10-10 (yes twins) and when the younger ones were born I had a gift at the hospital that was from the new baby to the older sibling. It was a thrill for the older siblings and I got something that they would quietly play with while I was busy with the new baby. An example of one of the gifts was a fisher price farm set...my oldest spent hours quietly playing with the farm while I was busy with the new baby. That worked great for me and I wish you many blessings with your new baby!
If your son already has dolls, what about doll accessories? Maybe a stroller or car seat that he can use for his special doll? Or you could put together a little "diaper bag" for him with a baby brush, diapers, blanket, etc... Something that would enable him to do some of the things that you're going to be doing with the new baby. Our son had a doll as well (I think it's pretty common w/an older sister) and really liked taking care of "his" baby. I hope that the transition goes well for you. Good luck!
What about a book? We got my daughter a book called I'm a Big Sister! It was great, because she loves books and it gave her an idea of what to expect!
S. my suggestion is to get accessories for the existing dolls, such as doll bottles, clothes little diapers, and feeding supplies burp cloths, small blankets etc. so they can be copy cats when you are needing to care for the new baby I am a grandmother of 18 plus spouses, and great grandmother of 14 with two on the way this year. I have found this idea to work well. I had six children of my own and I found that when they felt like they were a part of the job of caring for their own "babies "it made my job easier. We became close knit in the experience.
I just had wrapped toys for the kids. A princess and a power ranger... They loved it.
Hi S.,
The best gifts that I have ever given to one of my children, and that I continue to give for birthdays, christmas, and special occassions- is custom storybooks about them. I just helped a client create a book about her daughter being the best big sister, and she gave it to her while they were in the hospital about to bring another baby home. It is so quick and easy to create custom storybooks online and with Heritage Makers the books are delivered in about 2 weeks and are hardbound, library stitched, acid/lignin free paper, and the best part- they are all about the heroes in your family. Visit my website to create a free account and get started on your storybooks. www.storybookforlife.com
When our second daughter was born, we made a gift basket for our older daughter full of things she liked. (Coloring books, crayons, hair stuff, View-masters, little toys, video, etc.) Unfortunately, they both didn't get one when their little sister arrived (a month early) or we would have done that again. I just picked up little things here & there for the first basket and did it up so it was ready to go when we went to the hospital (right with my bag of stuff).
