Easing an Older Sibling's Anxieties

Filed in archive Family Life on August 26, 2009

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How do you prepare an older child for the arrival of a new baby in the family? Here are some tips from Michelle Duggar, of the The Learning Channel (TLC) reality series 18 Kids and Counting. Yes, 18 kids, so she ought to know a thing or two about preparing older siblings to the new arrival. She says,

"I let them talk to my belly and tell them the baby can hear them," says Duggar. With all that buildup, you have to be careful when the baby comes home, as kids tend to be aggressive with their attention. Duggar has her children practice holding their dolls and teaches them to kiss on the back of the head and be gentle. Even with this training, have someone stand guard. "Without fail, the 16-month-old wants to touch the baby's eyes," says Duggar.

If you're a parent of more than one child, do you have any other tips to share on how to ease an older siblings anxieties?