Parenting Forums

Posted: 17 August 2007 at 9:32pm | IP Logged

Arrival of a brother or sister is something CJ has had to deal with recently and here are my tips which obviously have worked really well for us I hope they can help other people as well.

Share the pregnancy as much as possible with your LO. Showing scan pictures, talking and showing them the bump as it grows, (CJ used to be quite protective of the bump and insisted on it being covered up sometimes) reading stories. I read new baby story book to Cerys every night in the last 8 weeks of being pg... she requested them as well a lot. I always tried to relate the story back to her or our family somehow so that it was not just a story but some kind of link to us. I'm also convinced that because all the story's involved Mum going into hospital this is why CJ coped so well with me being away in hospital for so long.

Once Seren arrived I have let CJ do pretty much anything she has wanted to do involving Seren (under supervision of course). If she wanted to cuddle her I have allowed her to with me sitting next to her also holding Seren. She has often wanted to help with the nappy changing by wiping Seren's bottom, as long as I've cleaned it first I've let her. Basically keeping her as involved as possible has worked really well for us.

One other thing I have found important is if I have been dealing with CJ, ie reading a bedtime story and Seren has started to cry for a feed etc. As long as Seren is not distressed I always finish what I'm doing first with CJ before I go to Seren. I just keep reminding myself that just because she is crying I'm not neglecting her as I will be with her within 5 minutes whatever I'm doing. I do think this is one of the main reasons I have had absolutely no jealousy problems what so ever with CJ or I might be just lucky.

Posted: 19 August 2007 at 4:08pm | IP Logged

If you keep the receipt you can always return your baby within 28 days...

Sorry, don't have any tips, I just wing it really.

I Do think it's important to remember who YOU are, that even though you are a fab mum, you're a person in your own right too.  Apart from that parenting is all part of trial and error, me thinks.

Posted: 19 August 2007 at 5:24pm | IP Logged

erm zoe...dont know about your pair..but after 28 days my two...well no chance theyd fit back where theyd come from!

Always remember they will leave home eventually...they will pass their driving tests..and be your taxi instead of the other way round!

One day they will have kids..and you can corrupt them..then hand them back.

Good days with bad days...they will break your heart over and over again...but you will always love them no matter how many heavily tattoooed, pierced, weird blokes/girlies they bring home.

Posted: 21 August 2007 at 7:55pm | IP Logged

Go with your gut instinct even if others around you say that its not what they would do.

Try not to listen too much to the well meant but useless advice, how others children are developing or did develop.

Don't get too bogged down in books on parenting. You can read them but try not to force yourself to stick to them ridgidly. Try and adapt them to meet your specific needs.

Don't get too het up with the growth charts of health professionals!!! They don't know your child as an individual!

Erm, can't think of any more for the moment.