Hi again.... well the new question Im having now is with my 3yr old girl she is the first grandchild on both mine & my husbands side and great grandchild on my side. She gets anything she wants and is never told no but Im worried about how she will act when another baby is getting attention as well.
I had the same worries about my kids..One thing I can say I did was have my son help me with his sista. Feed her, get her pampers, even help pick out her clothes..The day I brought her home we had a gift for him from her. He even got gifts at the baby shower.I think that helpped a lot. An the same was done when my youngest was born.
I don't think that there is any way to predict how she might react to a new child. Each child is different. My second child was born when my daughter was 2 1/2. She was a little jealous and didn't want daddy to have anything to do with the new baby (ie. when he would be holding the baby she would insist that he get her juice, take her to the bathroom, etc.) Also, do not be surprized if everything seems great at first and then she does something like write on furniture or a wall or start throwing fits. Each child is different. My kiddos did just fine in the long run. We have 3 kids. Enjoy your pregnancy and try not worry about something that you cannot forsee or control. Good luck.
I'd start by reading "Love and Logic" & teaching "no." There is also a great book called "Siblings Without Rivalry." But keep in mind...you just never know. My 3 year old decided for almost the first year of my second daughter's life that she was daddy's girl & Sam was mine. It was very difficult. She, too, was the first, only & grandest. Now, at 4 & 7, they are great together 80% of the time. They play like best friends. But for that first year or so, while I was nursing & taking such care of the baby, it was really shakey! My oldest was in a mother's day out 3 days/ week from 9-2, to give us all a break. Eventually, it all worked out. As with most things it just took time & patience.
D.
Try interacting her with other babies at church or mom's groups or whatever. Let her know she is going to be a big sister and how special it will be for her to help protect and love her new little sibling. If she understands now, it won't be such a shock to her later. I know there are really great books on this, just can't think of any!
