Toddler and One on the Way

Hello,

Where do you teach? I taught for about 7 years, but am taking a break now. I have a daughter who will be 3 in September and a 9 month old boy.

My daughter was 26 months when my son was born. She was used to alot of attention, but she actually did great when he was born!! She absolutely adores him and we are so thankful!

I have 2 sons -- exactly 18 months apart. I was given a great piece of advice I will share with you. At the hospital, when you bring the older child in to meet the new baby, do NOT have the baby in your arms. Have someone put the baby in the bassinet momemtarily while the older sibling comes in and is put into the bed next to you. Then, have someone present the baby to BOTH of you. My boys love each other and the older one didn't feel like he had been replaced by the "new" one. (It wasn't look who's in your place -- it was "we" have a new baby!)

We told the older one how much his brother loved him. When the baby arrived, he "brought" his older brother a present. We talked with the older one about all the things he could show his brother when he got older. We read books to him about being an older brother. We set aside the baby's nap time as special time to do things with the older one that we couldn't do while the younger one was awake. Hope it helps! As for sleep, you'll get some eventually!

my suggestion to all second time parents is to purpose to train your child to wait. as a doula for over 10 years, this has worked well. soon you will be feeding a newborn quite often so when you 16 mo. old asks for a drink, tell her she can have one but to wait a minute. you can train her to have patience because she will need it!!

If you carry a babydoll around the house like u would your new baby, it may help her to understand there is a new baby coming. Tell her all the things u would tell her if it was the new baby....like "you have to be gentle" and that kind of thing.

By the way, I know what its like to be on your own with no family so if you just want to talk please feel free to contact me. ____@____.com

Hi M.,
I just joinded this group, literally one minute ago and think it pretty cool that the first thing I see on this website is the message from you. We seem to have a lot in common. I too am a teacher, my husband and two boys who are 19 months apart (just about what your girls will be, right?), all just moved here from San Diego. However, I am originally from Massachusetts, are you from that far north or more like north of Charlotte? Anyway, I know what you're going through and what you're about to go through. Aaah! But the youngest just woke up, so if you want to call or email me back later, I'd love to tell you all about the first days, weeks and months after my second baby came.
E.
____@____.com
I'll give you my phone number through that email address. OK?