Preparing the Toddler for the Baby

This is our fourth time of bringing a baby into the world with a toddler.
Isaiah (7) was 24 months when we introduced his first sibling
Amalia (5) was 18 months when we introduced her first baby
Jarah (3.5) was 19 months when we introduced his first baby

and now Avigail will be 24 months when we introduce her first sibling baby.

Isaiah (24 months) meeting Amalia 2007

Here's How:

• Talk about the baby, and what the baby will do when the baby is out of the tummy
• Involve the toddler in EVERYTHING baby related
• Say things like "This is where the baby will sleep when we bring the baby home"
• Ask where the baby is going to sleep and what the baby will do, even to a non-verbal toddler
• If we know bub is a boy named Jarah we call him a him and by his name Jarah
• Talk: This is going to be Jarah's clothes, or Jarah's seat, not yours! This is your seat, this your clothes
• Explain to them some of the changes that are going to happen when we bring baby home
• Talk about how the baby will drink milk from bottle/breast, how baby won't play until baby is much bigger and how baby will cry and scream and sleep and need cuddles. So they are prepared as to the behaviour of baby. 

Amalia (18 months) meeting Jarah 2009

My Strange Quirk

I am not sure if there is truth in this statement, but for ME I deem it important. Not entirely sure why. 

As hubby picks me and bub up from the hospital, I deem it important that ALL of the children come with me. They walk into our room, see all our belongings packed, and the baby, and together as a larger family we all walk to the car, talking about how we are picking mummy up from the hospital and bringing the baby home. Talking about the process as we go along. Children are excited, watching what is going on, checking out how we put the babies seat belt on and making sure we havn't left anyone behind. 

This was so important to me that we swapped cars so we could ALL fit when we had 4 kids (needed atleast 6 seats that time). 

Why?

I consider it a part of the process, they've SEEN the action take place and been involved, They've seen where bub was in hospital and witnessed us walk out with the baby. As we drive past the hospital at a later date they will even recall the memory.

Isaiah (3 years 8 months) meeting Jarah 2009

Funny Story

My son at age 6 asked for a new baby while we were in hospital for an unrelated thing. He said you just get them from the baby section

Adaptable
Children are really adaptable, they grasp these things easily, we are not in new times when this sort of thing has not occurred, it has been going on since the beginning when Eve birthed her second child.
If this is you, chill out, relax, and enjoy the unique experience.

Isaiah (5 years) Jarah (19 months) meeting with Avigail 2011

5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. Experiencing the joy on the toddlers face as they meet their new sibling
2. Going HOME from the hospital
3. Bringing home so many babies
4.