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Old 06-01-2012, 03:26 PM
  #11  
kathdavis
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri
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I always think it is important to acknowledge the older siblings. I was a parent educator for the Parents As Teachers Program for 10 years where I did home visits, advising parents, screening babies, and empowering parents. I always warned parents that the older siblings might not be as excited about that new baby as they are. It would be like your husband coming home with another woman and saying, "Honey, Suzie is going to stay with us forever. Aren't you excited?" I advise relatives to address the older sibling first, instead of going straight to the new baby. After all that new baby doesn't care, but that older sibling is keeping track. I suggest purchasing small gifts from the baby for the sibling, so when that baby is getting in the way, mom can whip out a gift from the baby. Someone who buys you gifts can't be all bad.
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