The arrival of a new baby can bring many changes to a family.
Parents spend a lot of energy on preparations, and after the
baby arrives, much of the family's attention involves meeting
the newborn's basic needs. All this change can be hard for older
siblings to handle. It's common for them to feel jealousy toward
the newborn and to react to the upheaval by acting out. But
parents can prepare kids for an addition to the family.
Discussing the pregnancy in terms that make sense to kids,
making some arrangements, and including kids in the care of the
newborn can make things easier for everyone. There's not one
right time or perfect way to tell a child about an impending
sibling. When discussing the pregnancy, consider your own
comfort level and your child's maturity level. Preschoolers, for
example, may not grasp concepts of time, so it might not mean
much if you say that the baby will arrive in a few months. It
may be more useful to explain that the baby will arrive in a
particular season, such as winter or whe