Are your kids ready for another sibling? How will everyone adapt to the change? These are questions that really do not come to the front surface until the baby is already in the belly. When I became pregnant with my fourth child I did not realize the changes that would occur or how my other children would feel about this major change. Now that my fourth child have been here for a month I am able to speak with my older three and see how they are feeling.
At first the feeling was…
Ok let’s go back to the beginning of the situation when I first found out I was pregnant and let the kids know what was going on. We sat down and had this talk when I was about 2 months pregnant. This is very early I know; however, my morning sickness was so horrible I could not even drink anything without feeling nauseated. My oldest who was 6 at the time was happy and excited. My other two boys who were 4 and 3 at the time said they were excited and happy but they did not really get what that meant for them. I know it was going to be a lot of changes going on throughout this but I knew they would have to get prepared for it.
What is the gender?!?!!!
I absolutely did not want to know the gender of the baby was when the doctor first asked me. Having had 3 boys already and just really wanted a healthy baby. Wanting a girl so bad with my 3rd pregnancy and when that showed up another boy I just said whelp a girl just will not happen. After a lot of thinking and contemplating I decided that it would be best to go ahead and find out. Once they announced, “It’s a girl!” I’m like no way it is not a girl. Not after all the craziness I have been through. I was so excited but nervous at the same time. Why was I nervous? I thought there was going to be another ultrasound and a boy popped on the screen. So, once I went home and had the box with the pink onesie inside it, I let the boys sit at their table and unwrap the box to see what the baby gender was. My middle child said loudly, “It’s a girl!” When I told him yes, it is a girl my oldest was thrilled. He really wanted a baby sister. My youngest was highly upset. He was the one that went to daycare telling the teachers that she was a boy and not a girl.
Fast Forward to now!
Of course, when the baby first came here the kids were happy when they first seen her… But the moment they began to hear her cries during their favorite show that was another thing they were not prepared for. My oldest did not like the interruption she was causing. However, my youngest seem to be the one that is the most caring of his new little sister. He comes to check on her anytime he hears her crying. There were even times during the first week that he would not want to leave the house to go to daycare unless he made sure she was fine and no longer crying. Still to this day he will come in my room more than 5 times a day just to say, “mommy can I see the babies face?” I recently spoke with all of them together and asked how were their feelings about having a baby sister now that things have begun to calm down. Everyone had the same answer of being they are happy she is here and love her so much. I make sure to still show all my kids the attention that they desire and tend to the baby. I allow them to help me as much as possible with doing things for them as well as helping me with things when it comes to the baby. They really enjoy being there to help with her. It makes them feel good knowing that they are helping me.
Talking to your children means a lot to them and helps the family become closer. I also started having themes for certain days so we can all spend time together and sleep in the same room. Spending family time with my kids really makes me feel full inside. Please comment below some things that you may choose to do with your family once a new member of the family has come along. How did your kid(s) feel when the change was happening and once the baby was here? I would love to hear the changes that happen and the ways your family did things to still bring everyone together.