| If you're pregnant with your second child, it's time to be | | | | arrangements during this time. If you can't get these |
| thinking about how to prepare your first child to deal | | | | things accomplished before the baby comes, plan to |
| with "not being an only child" anymore. This can be a | | | | put it off a few months. |
| difficult transition for any child, and most, regardless of | | | | · Familiarize her with babies in general, particularly |
| age, have some adjustments to make. Here are some | | | | the amount of care they require. Talk to her about |
| suggestions to help your child be prepared. | | | | when she was a baby, and all the things that she did. |
| · Talk about how special it is to be a big brother | | | | Then when the new baby comes, she will have |
| or sister. Discuss the baby in terms of how important | | | | something to relate to. |
| the older sibling will be in its life. This is your child's | | | | · Let her assist you with any baby preparations |
| chance to be the big kid, which is usually a very | | | | that she would like to help with, but don't force her. She |
| appealing idea. | | | | might think its fun to pick out nursery items, for |
| · If you've been thinking about putting your child | | | | example. |
| into a preschool program, now is the time. Don't wait | | | | · Prepare her for the time you'll be spending in the |
| until after the baby comes, or she might feel like you're | | | | hospital, and explain what the situation will be like. If you |
| trying to get rid of her. She should have time to make | | | | can make it special for her, so much the better. When |
| friends and get adjusted before the baby comes, and | | | | my daughter was born, we had arranged for my four |
| then she will enjoy the chance to get away. | | | | year old son's favorite aunt and uncle to come and |
| · Get her used to being away from you. If your | | | | stay with him at our house while I was in the hospital. |
| child spends most of her waking hours in your care, it's | | | | He was looking so forward to their visit; he hardly |
| time to start having someone else take over some of | | | | noticed I was away. |
| this time for you. Maybe start using a sitter a little more, | | | | No matter how well you prepare your child, there is |
| or sending her to play at a friend's. This way, when the | | | | bound to be some difficulty in adjusting to the new |
| baby starts to demand your attention, she will be | | | | baby. My son thought his little sister was cool, but he |
| accustomed to having other caretakers. | | | | didn't much care for the fact that I was her Mommy, |
| · Don't plan any major changes for her right after | | | | too. It takes a little time, but things work out well in the |
| the baby is born. The adjustment to the baby is plenty, | | | | end. And, anything you can do to prepare them ahead |
| so don't try potty training, or changing her sleeping | | | | of time will only make the transition easier. |