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Bringing home a new baby can be exciting and a joyful time, but it can also be a shock for older kids who are used to getting all the love and attention. Even if your kids are old enough to comprehend what is going on, having a younger sibling isn’t easy. Adjusting to a baby and its needs takes time and effort from parents to help everyone figure out the new family dynamic. This is why it’s so important to support your older kids once the infant arrives. Every parent wants their kids to bond and have a close relationship, but this can be hard when the older one feels left out and neglected. So if you were wondering how you could facilitate a healthy relationship between your kids and the baby, as well as still maintain a strong bond with them, then we’ve got some tips for you. Read on to know them all!
1. Talk To Them About How They Feel
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When it comes to experiencing negative emotions towards the baby, the worst thing to do would be to sweep it under the carpet. Feeling unenthusiastic and somewhat angry that they need to share their parents is a very common reaction from older siblings so there’s no need to panic if they don’t take to the baby right away. After all, the baby is simply a stranger who has captured the attention of their beloved parents. So, they are not going to be fond of the little one from the get go. What would help kids warm up to them would be to sit them down and validate their feelings. Tell them it’s okay to feel scared or confused but that you are still going to always love them. Let your kids know that they are not being replaced. As soon as this seeps in, they’ll all be best friends in no time.
2. Speak For The Baby
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Let your kids know that the baby loves them and looks up to them every time your infant stares at your kids intently or copy’s an action they do. In actuality, your little one is probably wondering who they are or is a little terrified of them, but in some cases you’ve got to fake it till you make it. If your baby is smiling or cooing at them, let your kids know that they are trying to communicate with them or that the baby specifically likes them. Then all you’ve got to do is pray and hope that the feeling is mutual. Sometimes all your older kids need is a little nudge to acknowledge and take an interest in the baby. Which is easier to do if they think the baby is already interested in them!
3. Feed And Read
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Having two or multiple kids means becoming a multitasking pro. If you can deal with holding onto a nursing baby and a book, then you can make sure to read to your toddler as your baby feeds for the night. This is a great way to bond with both kids and give them a chance to interact with each other indirectly. This also shows your older one that you are capable of taking care of both or all of the kid’s needs. This way your kids are less likely to panic anytime the baby is around because they know they are not going to be ignored.
4. Tell The Baby To “Wait”
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Most older kids don’t like their younger siblings because they feel like they are always compromising for them. Telling your baby to wait when you are tending to your older ones can make them feel like they are not the only ones who are expected to have patience. This also shows them that you still prioritize them and that you are going to take care of everybody. This will further motivate them to wait their turn when you need to go change the baby’s diaper or nurse them.
5. Set Up Some Visits
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You can’t do it all by yourself. Toddlers can be extremely energetic and need lots of attention. So, why not set up a few visits with their favorite people? This can be their grandparents, aunts, uncles, trusted family friends or even their friends from playschool. Get your older one out of the house and into a space where they are once again, the center of attention. This way they’ll come back feeling great about themselves and you would’ve had some time to rest and recuperate.
Being a parent to one child is hard enough. But being a parent to older kids and a baby is a whole other ballgame. It takes effort, a lot of planning and time to bring the whole family together and help your kids find a balance with your baby. But it is possible, so don’t give up!
How to Support Older Kids When Baby Arrives
Watch now to discover five practical tips on supporting your older kids when a new baby arrives, from validating feelings to bonding activities that keep the family close.
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