You are loving parents, and having another child in the family is a great joy for you. However, this wonderful event is often associated with anxiety, because no one is immune from such a phenomenon as jealousy on the part of the first child.
Instructions
Step 1
First of all, when planning a second pregnancy, you should pay special attention to the psychological state of your first child. Do not forget that the future baby can turn into a kind of rival in his eyes, which will certainly create problems for you and your children. The most important thing is to prepare the firstborn in advance for the appearance of a brother or sister. It is very important. This gradual development of events will allow the older child to feel more confident.
Step 2
Tell your child about the upcoming addition to your family, indicating a time frame. If the child is still small, then try to associate this date with some kind of holiday, the arrival of summer or winter … This will allow the child to orientate himself more clearly in time. Emphasize that the future brother or sister will be very small, defenseless, and will need care and love. Let the first-born feel that it is very important for you his participation in caring for the baby, in all upcoming events.
Step 3
Another good welcome is an evening of family memories. In a cozy, calm atmosphere, look with your child old photos or videos, where he was still very tiny. Tell him how you took care of him. Explain that your second child will need the same.
Step 4
If you are already pregnant, take your baby with you for an ultrasound scan. This will allow him to "get to know" a new family member long before he is born. Such a reception will make it clear to your child that the upcoming addition is inevitable, he will quickly get used to this thought and will look forward to his brother or sister with you.
Step 5
At the end of the pregnancy, ask the older child to help prepare the room for the unborn baby. Let him choose something on his own, such as wallpaper, a stroller or a crib. The child should feel that you are listening to his opinion, that his participation is necessary.
Step 6
Please note that with the appearance of the baby, you will have to devote a lot of time to him, perhaps even to the detriment of the firstborn. Talk to him about this beforehand. Discuss everything down to the smallest detail so that your child does not experience discomfort in the future. Otherwise, he may feel abandoned and unhappy, which will lead to depression, moods, or even aggression. Together with the firstborn, adjust the daily routine in advance, everything should happen gradually.
Step 7
If someone you know has very young children, let the older child get to know them. Invite him to ride a stroller or sing a song to the baby. Monitor the behavior of the firstborn, this will give you an idea of how much you were able to prepare him for the arrival of a new family member.
