New Baby...
With baby #2 on the way, we've been thinking a lot about whether Anna is really capable of understanding that she has a brother or sister on the way. When I first found out I was pregnant we told her that mama had a baby in her tummy and that she would be a big sister. She seemed a little puzzled by this new information, but joined right in with the excitement, saying "big sister, big sister" randomly throughout the day. No anxiety, no confusion really, just a new phrase to repeat back to us. Anna was actually relatively unfazed by it all.
Then during Christmas my sister-in-law mentioned that it's best to not explain to older siblings that a baby is coming until a month or two before the baby arrives because it confuses them and stresses them out. Hmmm.... that made a lot of sense to me so I told Mike we should lay low on the baby talk for awhile. After all, I don't want Anna to be stressed out or worried about the impending arrival of another little one. Or so confused by the situation that she freaks out when a new baby shows up and this is no longer a theoretical conversation. I want Anna to remain as carefree as possible and to look forward to this. Lord knows when the baby arrives I'll be manic enough for all of us as I try to take care of two children, I definitely don't need anyone else stressed.
But, the information had already sunk in I supposed, combined with the fact that Mike and I still talk to one another about the baby, which means that Anna talks about the baby a lot. I can't even detect the slightest bit of confusion or worry either. She regularly wants to see the baby, which means she lifts up my shirt and touches my belly, pointing and saying the baby is "in dere." If we mention the baby, she'll interrupt us and say, "I yuv her so much" or "Da baby is pwetty. I going to pay wif her." (Like my Anna-ese?) She seems pretty happy about the situation. Every once in awhile she'll point to her own tummy and say there's a baby in there, but when I explain that only mamas have babies in their tummies she just nods like I've made an excellent point and moves on to another topic.
Who knows if we're doing this right or if she's having nightmares about the situation. But so far, it all seems good. As with everything, I'm just gonna cross my fingers and hope for the best. What else can you do?
Welcome! We're just your average family, trying to maintain our sanity and keep our sense of humor while raising two beautiful children and surviving suburban life. Contact me at hithereMaggie@gmail.com
1 comment:
She's such a sweet little girl. My advice to you - not that you asked! - is to follow your instinct. Only you know Anna best. With all due respect to your SIL, I really doubt you're stressing her out.
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