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Kids can learn about new baby through reading

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When you are expecting a blessed event, books can help you prepare your older children. Their feelings about the new baby may range from excitement bordering on mania to jealousy to complete disdain.

Excited - “Can I hold Baby? Please? Please? Let me hold him, I won't drop him!”

Jealous - “Why don't you hold me like you hold Baby?”

Disdain - “Let's take Baby back to the hospital.”

“The New Baby” by Fred Rogers tells the story of a new baby coming inTO the home. This book has photos of families dealing with the feelings and experiences of young children with a new sibling. It has an accepting and matter-of-fact attitude toward jealousy, anger and frustration, as well as joyful feelings about the baby.

You can help your child prepare for these feelings before the baby arrives by including feeling words in your conversations and being honest with your child about your own feelings. If your child hasn't seen a new baby, you may want to take them to the hospital ahead of time and let them peek through the nursery window. They don't line them up for viewing anymore, but you usually will see one or two being attended to.

Also for preschoolers is “Hello Baby!” by Lizzy Rockwell. This book has illustrations showing the baby growing in Mom's tummy and Grandma coming to take care of the little boy while Mom goes to the hospital. The first day home is exciting and joyful for the big brother.

To prepare for that first day home, you might want to play it out a few times as a game. Take a doll and let your child bring it home from the “hospital,” which could be the living room or bedroom. Make a special bed for your new baby from a box and give them a few baby things to play with like diapers and blankets.

One problem with babies that older children catch on to right away is that babies need a lot of stuff and a lot of time. “What Baby Needs” is a book about the subject that children can understand. It is written by William Sears, M.D., Martha Sears, R.N., and Christie Watts Kelly. The illustrations by Renee Andriani are warm and friendly. This book explains why parents need to spend so much time on the new baby and reminds them that they were babies once too. It is upbeat and fun to read.

What about those older children who don't want to admit they have any negative feelings about this baby they waited for so long? I recommend “Socks” by Beverly Cleary. Socks is a cat who has to make room in his favorite lap for a new baby. He has all sorts of problems adjusting. This is a chapter book and it may be easier for children to relate to this cat's issues because it gives some distance and perspective to the experience.

You can help your older children by including them in baby care chores. Tuck away a few surprises you can give your child when they need extra attention and you have to tend to the baby. Remember, books make great treats!

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