What are some things I can do to prepare my 7 year old ONLY child for his future sibling?

Question

My son is 7 years old and our only (bio) child. We will be adopting (hopefully soon) and I really think I am going to need all the (productive) suggestions I can get in regards to preparing HIM!

Anyone know of any good books out there?

Answer 1

go to the library & ask I am sure they have some

Answer 2

Is the new sibling going to be a baby or an older child?  Either way you should talk to him about it.  Don't over explain but start talking about it now.  Congratulations on the new addition to your family :)

Answer 3

It's kind of expensive but a 3D ultra sound would really be a good introduction and bring the baby "to life" for your son, even if he can't be there and only sees the pictures.  They are the most amazing pictures, and you could give him one of his own to sort of get used to the idea of being a brother.Maybe it would be nice if you also got his picture taken and framed for the baby's room so he would also feel special.

Answer 4

i found a couple of websites that are interesting and full of information :

* http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild...

*http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:zwY...

    

          ~To help parents and professionals prepare sibling-to-be, Weitzman suggests the following tips:

1. Elicit the child's fantasies about the sibling about to join the family.

2. Give the child a voice, separate from the parents.

3. Pay attention when the child's view does not match that of the parents.

4. Be aware that adults may need to adjust a child's fantasy of siblings about to be adopted, particularly if the child expects a "picture perfect" experience.

5. Note that children without other siblings seem to have more difficulty with the transition because of divided attention from their parents or how they perceive the new child behaving towards the adoptive parents.

6. Practice future thinking, helping children project themselves into situations where they will be able to keep their identity apart from their new sibling(s). (For example, beginning middle school, playing soccer, sleeping over at a friend's house.)

7. Be aware that kids equate parental love with the amount of attention given to a new child or children in the family, even if it is negative attention.

8. Help the child do some "grown-up talk" about behaviors that might occur with new sibling(s).

9. Provide ways to grow the sibling relationship, suggesting that they play video games together, pick out a treat together or take turns choosing a movie for the family to view.

10. Remind children of why they were excited to get a new sister or brother, and seek commonalities that might help them renew that initial excitement. For more information about the Minnesota Waiting Children Sibling Preference Questionnaire, contact Heidi Weitzman, at [e-mail]