How to create sibling love

     This love between siblings really has an early start. I learned some of these things from my mother who brought my sister and I closer together very well. The onset of creating a sibling love can be as early as during pregnancy for the second child.

1.  Include the first child in the growth process of the brother or sister intrauterine. Let the child feel the movement in the abdomen and tell some good things about  the unborn child calling that fetus the brother or sister. If you do not know the sex of the baby, refer to as the child's brother or sister not the baby. For a long time, the child you are hoping to bring together with the unborn baby has been the baby. He or she might feel a replacement of himself or herself since that title has belonged to them.

2.  As you are getting ready to put together the baby articles, allow the other one to buy something and let them pick that item out from an assortment of things you need.  If the boy or girl can give of himself or herself by donating something of theirs, so much the better.

3.  Praise the growing child for helping, being a good brother or sister so the brother or sister can learn so well from them. These might only be little things, but admire and acknowledge the small accomplishments. Do this long before the baby comes home.

4.  Announce  the home coming so the child will be ready for a new addition to the family. This can be done weeks or months just mentioning it in light conversation talk.

5.  When shopping with your child, ask them to think what their newborn brother or sister would like someday. Keep the ideas of safety and comfort in mind, so this education can be in the process even before birth.

6.  If you are attending Lamaze classes, include that child in one or more sessions. If that is not possible, share the thrills with that child.

7.  When baby comes home, ask family to bring a gift for the older of the two children when they come to welcome baby into the family.

8.  Make sure you have a gift or surprise for the child waiting for you, to bring their sister or brother into the house for the first time. Buy this early enough so it will not be forgotten.

9.  Keep life as much of what it was like before the baby, Telling the child to be quiet or to stop running and causing annoyances for the baby will create a different feeling for them than you want to mold with the love for their sibling.

10. When the baby is able to be fed by spoon, let the other help with your guidance.Keep on praising the older one for the love they are creating for their brother or sister.

11. Always refer to each of them as the sister or brother to the other one, to them and the people living in the house.

12. Encourge siblings to play together without the older one needing to take care of the younger one. Not everyone is a care giver. That is your job for many years or for you to assign to a baby sitter and  not the older ones responsibility.

13. When there is a surprise, make one give to the other first before they actually get theirs. The last one gets the same or better for giving their sibling that love. Refer to the child who is giving as "give this to your brother or sister". They should be told theirs is waiting for them after they give to their sibling.

14. As disagreements  erupt, look at them as differences not at an assaults from one to the other.However, make sure there are resolutions to those actions so they both know that part of forgiving and bonding with  the other sibling.

15. As they grow, let them be separated for activities not demanding that they go together all the time. If and when they determine that togetherness, that will be a great bonding between siblings.