"Big Sister" Training

We have done all we can, I hope, to help Rachel during this transition.  We bought books to help her learn about babies and being a big sister.


She loves the books and reads them most every day.  
 

We bought her a baby boy doll so she can practice being a big sister.  We rock him, hug him, feed him and love him.


We've also been teaching her how to help with tasks around the house.  She's been practicing letting the dog in, shutting doors and drawers, putting toys and books away, getting diapers, moving laundry from the washer to the dryer and then to the basket, and how and when to climb.


I think we've given her every chance to become acquainted with the idea of being a big sister.  Now only time will tell.  I think she is going to love it.  Either way her new role begins on Monday.

This was two years ago.  Rachel loved her brother from the moment he came home.  Our biggest problem was she wanted to help TOO much.  I was always told that two kids are easier than one.  I'll be honest.  After bringing home baby number two, I began thinking that everyone was lying.  For the first 3-4 months it was exponentially harder to take care of two children.   Now they are the best of friends.  Don't get me wrong, they still have their squabbles.  I once read that "the best thing you can give your child is a sibling." This is true for us.