| Sibling rivalry can hit you too! | | | | of baby toys and the older child isn't, it can really make |
| Sibling rivalry. Most of us have lived with it personally, | | | | them feel unloved and un-cared for. |
| so when a new baby is born, we often feel the | | | | Kids want something to nurture |
| disappointment and perceived isolation of the big | | | | Art imitates life... and children imitate their elders. Older |
| brother or sister as if it were our own. Even youngest | | | | children are often aching to look after something that's |
| children often have vivid memories of seeing older | | | | helpless as well, and be just like their parents. If your |
| siblings get things, or be allowed to do things, that they | | | | kids aren't interested in dolls, other items can be bought |
| weren't... and the activation of your little kid's sense of | | | | that need care as well - trucks can be washed and |
| justice that the unfairness of it all created! Some | | | | 'oiled', for example. |
| parents are bitterly divided about whether sibling gifts | | | | Toys can be a great distraction |
| should be bought for older kids when a new baby (and | | | | Mum and Dad will be very busy taking care of the |
| all those new baby toys!) come along - today we | | | | new baby in the early days, and providing new toys |
| check out the view from both sides of the fence. | | | | other than baby toys for the older child can buy some |
| Sibling gifts as markers of change | | | | blissful hours of peace! |
| Change is difficult for all humans to deal with... | | | | Don't buy matching gifts |
| especially toddlers and primary-aged children who are | | | | Yes, baby toys and sibling toys, or little tshirts that |
| very fond of stability. However, if you can use the | | | | match are very cute. But they will make the older |
| sibling gift that comes along with a new baby toy as a | | | | sibling recoil in horror! They want to maintain their |
| marker of something positive within that change, you'll | | | | independence and special place in the family - most |
| be doing a great service to both the parents and the | | | | aren't ready to be lumped in with the baby yet. |
| older child. | | | | But... |
| Make sure you buy a new baby toy that is very | | | | Older kids still need love, attention and responsibility |
| simple, and not likely to hold the older child's interest... so | | | | No number of toys and gifts will make up for a lack of |
| don't buy something that must be 'grown into'! Then | | | | love and attention - so make sure that sibling gifts |
| choose one of the sibling gifts below that is designed | | | | aren't used to 'buy' time or to make up for distance or |
| to help get an older child excited about their new role: | | | | anger. |
| Books that explore how older siblings act | | | | They'll need to learn eventually |
| Gifts that mark the older child as more of 'one of | | | | It simply isn't possible (or desirable) to buy the same |
| the grown-ups'; Mum/Dad-and-Child apron sets, baby | | | | thing at the same time for each of your children |
| dolls and prams, cooking toys etc are all good ideas | | | | throughout their lives. They will need to get used to the |
| Big sister' or 'Big Brother' tshirts | | | | differences between them sooner or later; and some |
| If this careful gift choice is supported with an attitude | | | | parents say that this may as well start right away. |
| that the older child's help is needed, and that they | | | | In our opinion, the benefits of buying sibling toys at the |
| baby's happiness is also their responsibility, the end of | | | | same time as baby toys far outweigh the drawbacks |
| the sibling rivalry battle will come much sooner! | | | | or arguments against. Choose your gift carefully and |
| 'Things' are important to kids | | | | make sure it's backed up by a loving attitude and the |
| As we grow older, we begin to realise that life is much | | | | opportunity for plenty of new responsibility if you're the |
| more than possessions. We also tend to forget that | | | | adult... and you'll all be able to welcome the new one |
| when we were kids, we really defined ourselves by | | | | much more easily! |
| our possessions. When the new child is getting all sorts | | | | |