6 year old won't be only child anymore...?

Question

So our 6 year old (she'll be 6 on the 7th) is welcoming a sister on the 10th by c-section. She is starting kindergarten on Wednesday and is very excited to go. She has been her daddys little girl since she was born and they are like brother and sister. Im nervous she wont like the attention her sister will get. My husband and I are planning on taking her to do only her time after she is born, so she doesn't feel like we dont care anymore. I plan on taking her to get mani & pedis and lunch. We cant think of much else, but we do live in WI so winter will be upon us. Any suggestions on how to make her feel good about being the big sister? What we can do for her so she knows she is still important?

Answer 1

have her help u out during the pregnancy and when the baby comes have her help out

Answer 2

mani &pedis for a 6 year old?

Answer 3

I wouldn't go to the expense and trouble of getting a manicure and pedicure done for a 6 year old - if she were 16 then maybe, but for a 6 year old you could spend time with her and bake a cake together, make a "I'm a Fabulous Big Sister" cake.

Go to a kids move together

Look at pictures of when she was a baby

Take her to the Library and choose books with her

Spend time with her at home, reading together and making sure she knows how special she is

Is there a Children's Museum near where you live

Ask her what she would like to do

In my world, going for a mani, pedi and lunch is something that grown women love to do to feel pampered, that is not what a 6 year old would dream of doing with her Mom.

Answer 4

I also have a 6 year old daughter with another girl on the way. (Due 9/5/08) She has been the only child all this time and is sooo excited for her little sister to be born. I agree that you should include her in the baby's care as much as possible. That way she'll feel like she is part of something and not just someone in the way. My daughter can't wait for the baby to come because she'll get to be a "Big Sister" and she gets to help with the baby, kind of like a human doll. I'm sure she'll be just fine! Congratulations!!

Answer 5

Do all of the same things with her you've always done, but also try to include her in the care of the baby (if she's interested) so that she feels important. However, don't over do this second part and make it feel like a chore as it isn't her responsibility. (believe it or not, i've seen lots of parents do this) I'm sure she'll be just fine and know how much you love her since it's obvious you're already thinking of her feelings and planning ahead to curve any problems.

Answer 6

The first thing I thought of was a manicure and pedicure for a 6 year old?  Very strange, but anyways..

The best thing is to keep her involved in the baby care.  She can help hold bottles for her new sister and other easy tasks.  Praise her and tell her what a good big sister she is being.

Other fun things to do when winter comes (I live in Chicago) is going for hot chocolate, sledding, making snow angels etc.  Just simply PLAY with her, you don't need set and structured places to go!

Answer 7

Coming from a child who's the oldest in the family, my younger brother is 13 and I'm almost 16 so I was about 3 when he was born. My mom gave me a baby doll at the hospital when I went to visit. So I felt like I could help out with the baby too. The first couple months will most likely be very hard on her, after all it's been 7 whole years with just mommy and daddy now a new kid is joining the family! Make her feel loved. Maybe about a couple times a month hire a babysitter for your newborn on Saturday or Sunday which ever is convenient and have you and your husband spend a day with your daughter. Go to places nearby that she'd like to go to. Giving her attention will make her feel more welcomed in the family because most of the time when a new baby is welcomed in the family, the oldest tends to feel a little jealous. Although eventually when she gets used to it, she'll always be looking out for your little one and proudly accept the title of the big sister. :)

Answer 8

let her help as much as possible to make her feel a part of taking care of her sister, maybe then she'll be more accepting of the attention the new baby gets.  

Answer 9

My daughter was 7 when my son was born. I am single as well and I am a student, so babysitters are not on my budget alot. So pretty much everything we do is with the baby. She has found it to be an adjustment, but I do make sure that I am affectionate with her and that we play games. When the baby is napping we will play catch outside and on weekends we will have a movie night, after he is in bed. The other day we picked Blueberries while he was napping (they are close to the house). She says that she misses alone time, but I can only stretch myself so far.

One thing that she loves is the cupons. If she is a big help around the house without being asked, I will give her a cupon for '20 mintues alone with mom'. She loves those and takes careful consideration on how to spend the 20 minutes. I don't do it alot because of my time being so busy, but when I do give them, it is very exciting for her.

Another thing we do is have family meetings where we discuss without judgment all the feelings and new ideas in the house. This is where she can give suggestions on changes she would like to see happen, and things she currently likes and would like to keep going.

As a family unit, with all three of us, we go to the beach, picnincs, parks, etc. So sometimes I let her pick where we are going.

She loves her little brother but does miss the days when it was just her and me. But all in all it is working pretty well and she says that she is happy and it shows.

Answer 10

have her help as much as she can, with feeding and such.

also, buy her a doll. have her do the same things with the doll that you're doing with the baby. feeding, changing, dressing, bathing...

be prepared for her to start acting younger. it's pretty common for her to become more needy than she might be right now in order to get some sort of attention. it's normal, just be patient.

Answer 11

try to include her in as many things with the baby as possible. ( so she wont feel left out ) my big brother said my parents told him and he was so happy that he could blame stuff on and torture, but when i was born they said he couldn't stand to be away from me! BUT you still need to have time where it will be just you and her. just make it as fun as possible with the 3 of you

Answer 12

Let her help with caring for the new baby and maybe have a welcoming home party for the new baby. Also make sure she knows that babies are a lot of work and that she is still loved.