HOW WE ARE PREPARING OUR KIDS FOR THE NEW BABY

Only 3 more weeks left before baby 5 is due. Throughout this pregnancy I have been preparing my 4 children that they will have another sibling. Our 2 older boys understand that they will have a new sister, while my 3 year old daughter understands and is over the moon but I am not sure she understands that she will not be the only girl anymore. Then our 2 year old I think it will effect the hardest. He is very attached and still a baby himself.

Here are some ways that I have been preparing our children for the addition to our family:

Since I homeschool my kids are with me all the time even for my OB appointments. They have gotten to hear all the baby’s heartbeats and have seen her on every ultrasound. They got to see the baby even before their dad did!

My kids are excited about the baby so they have been drawing her pictures which I have been saving, I made a folder and have made the baby a folder with all their drawings in it.

Involving them by having them picking out clothes, etc. for the baby. I had them go with me when I did my baby registry and had them help me chose items for the baby.

When the baby has big movements I share with my kids because they enjoy feeling her movements and most of the time they come running over and put their hands on my belly and feel her. They get a “kick” out of it!

I was blessed to have 2 baby showers, my daughter went to my 1st baby shower and 3 of my children went my 2nd baby shower. I involved them by having them open up my gifts and participating in the shower activities.

(opening my baby shower gifts with her older cousin)

Here are some books that I am reading to them “baby related”:

I will also be making little bags with a few goodies in them for each of my kids from the baby once she is born and they come visit her at the hospital.

When we have a new baby I always take a picture of all my kids together and will put it in the baby’s area at the hospital.

The kids will make a welcome home poster for the baby – each participating using their own creativity.

We also put all the baby items out early such as the baby swing, bouncer, etc. early so that they get acclimated to her belongings before she is born. Placing her car seat in the car early so they are adjusted to their new seating arrangements in my van before she is born.

My next project is to make big brother shirts for my 2 older boys while my 2 year old has a hand me down older brother shirt and my daughter received a big sister shirt at my shower.