I would like to do something like this for my 2 1/2 year old daughter who is soon to have a new baby brother and sister. I am looking for some creative ideas. When / how did you present the gift(s)?
I was thinking of having a few gifts from brother and sister pop up at different times -
We have a long car trip coming up - something new at that time would help ease the boredom of the trip. There’s also an upcoming baby shower. I’m sure my daughter would appreciate having something special from Mom since everything else will be ‘for the babies.’ There’s also the special time when she meets the babies.. and the times when she’s feeling left out perhaps after they come home.
Does that sound reasonable or am I going overboard? I believe she will be excited to be a big sister and happy to be my ‘helper.’ But, I am also feeling a lot of turmoil at ‘our special time’ (so to speak) coming to an end and not being able to give her as much 1:1 attention. I know some new toys don’t make up for that….
BQ: How did your 2ish toddler adjust to having a new brother/sister?
I think the gift idea is great and I don’t believe you are going overboard. I think it would be good for her to associate something positive, like new gifts, with the birth of her siblings. That way there probably won’t be any resentment of the new babies. I didn’t do it but it is a very good idea.
I have a two year old and he has a 6 week old baby sister and he loves her to death. He loves babies. He loves to hold her, feed her, give her the pacifier when she is fussy. He is also very protective of her.
I understand you are a little upset about having to lose that 1:1 time and I did too, but I found that letting Tyler help me with the baby actually made up for that time.
I am sure she will be a very loving and very wonderful big sister. 
April 3rd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
My son will be just over 2 when our second child is born. My husband and I definitely plan on getting him something when we bring home the new baby. We’re not sure what yet (probably a new toy, a shirt that says "Big Brother," and something that he can "help" with taking care of the new baby). Also, in our family, whenever anyone has a new baby, we send them gifts for that baby (usually something smaller - clothes, toys, etc.). Sometimes we even ask what that person needs for the baby. If we get those questions, we’re going to tell people to get something for our toddler instead, or if they insist, they can get the main thing for our toddler and something tiny for our newborn. I know my son won’t like not getting as much attention as he’s used to (it’s going to be a huge change for him since he’s the center of our world right now). We’re going to try to involve him as much as possible, and when the newborn is napping, I’m going to make the utmost effort to give my son one on one time, even if I’m crazy tired. Congrats to you!
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April 3rd, 2010 at 2:36 pm
My kids did get a ‘big brother’ gift when the new siblings were born. Nothing much — a gift bag with a couple of HotWheel cars, new crayons, coloring book, a snack or two, DollarStore items, and an ‘I am the BIG brother’ t-shirt. The goodie bags had two purposes: to make them feel special and to keep them busy while we were in the hospital or entertaining ‘visitors.’
For the baby shower, instead of giving HER something, go to the store and have her pick something out to give to the new babies, bring it home and wrap it herself (gift bag) so she will give them a gift at the shower, too. She will be excited when you open it in front of the other people especially if you all make a big deal about it!
BQ: My oldest completely ignored his new baby brother. Brother did not ‘exist’ for a couple of weeks, then curiosity got the better of him and he broke down and started ‘helping’ with his brother.
When next baby was born, I had two toddlers. They were both OK with this sibling except at feeding times. I had to make sure they had something to drink each time I fed the baby.
When the next one was born, the older kids thought it was cool because this one was a girl, NOT another brother. They loved to play with her ‘things’ and thought is was hilarious to sit in her carseat, climb in her crib, and push her swing.
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April 3rd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I think the gift idea is great and I don’t believe you are going overboard. I think it would be good for her to associate something positive, like new gifts, with the birth of her siblings. That way there probably won’t be any resentment of the new babies. I didn’t do it but it is a very good idea.
I have a two year old and he has a 6 week old baby sister and he loves her to death. He loves babies. He loves to hold her, feed her, give her the pacifier when she is fussy. He is also very protective of her.
I understand you are a little upset about having to lose that 1:1 time and I did too, but I found that letting Tyler help me with the baby actually made up for that time.
I am sure she will be a very loving and very wonderful big sister.
References :
April 3rd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
i gave birth to my second son 5 weeks ago and my first son will be 3 in may, he was excited to meet the new baby and he still is, he was freaked out when he saw his cord on his tummy for the first time but other than that he wants to help feed him, he has to help me burp him, he always wants to kiss him on his head, he like giving him his pacifier, he wants him to play with his toys and he wants to feed him his chicken nuggets lol…but he has been acting out a little bit though, i feel bad because the newborn gets more attention from mommy and he acts out just so he can get attention, hes even started to go potty in his undies and wants to wear diapers like his baby brother does….i just told him "your a big boy, you get to do alot of things that your baby brother doesnt get to do…your a big boy, not a baby, your the big brother" just keep telling her that shes the big sister and that being the big sister is special..itll make her happy
as far as presenting gifts to the older child, we didnt give him gifts at the shower but we did have him help by throwing the balloons all over the place to help ‘decorate’ and after the baby was born he got gifts from us like new clothes and new sandals and i bought him some special treats and that made him real happy
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April 3rd, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Honey, I know you’re trying to cover all the bases, and with your twins coming, I certainly can’t blame you. But yeah, you are definitely going overboard. If you were to give the older child a gift, don’t say it’s from "the new baby" or "the new babies".
Say the gift is from "you and Daddy" to show her that "she is still so important to you". And tell her, that " Mommy and Daddy are going to be busier" in the next few months, but you "will always find time for her, too."
As far as the long car trip goes, get her a couple of inexpensive fun things, that you know she’ll like, and say that they are from you and Daddy, and they’re "for the car trip". Why not spend a little 1:1 time, before hand, letting her choose what little thing SHE wants ? And have "special snack" for the trip, that she has helped you decide what and helped prepare ?
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