Jealous Siblings: How to Handle the Green Eyed Monster in Your Family

When a new baby is born into the family it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. Friends and relatives fly in from all over. Just about everyone wants to 'ooh' and 'ahh' over the new little bundle of joy. Everyone... except big brother or sister, that is. Of course, in one or two years time the odds are your eldest and your youngest will have formed a special bond that only siblings can share. But, until then, here are some tips on how to deal with the 'green eyed monster' growing in your little one...

Offer a little one-on-one attention...

Toy trucks and coloring books are nice, but they are no substitute for the undivided attention of mom and/or dad. Try setting aside a day or two within the first few weeks of the baby's birth just for your big boy/girl. And be sure to make good on this promise. Letting him/her down this early in your young child's birth could create serious tension between your children later on. You can be sure that grandma would be more than happy to sit with her new grand baby for an afternoon. Have more than one 'big'? Try creating 'gift certificates' for time with mom and/or dad. This way you can space out your days away from baby, and your big kids will have a tangible reminder that you will fulfill your promise.

Something of their own...

Sometimes all your older child needs is to feel important. By giving them a baby doll of their own to clothe, feed, change, burp, and more, you are giving them an important responsibility that they wouldn't otherwise be able to handle due to the actual new baby's delicate stage. Be sure and spend some of your attention focusing on their new baby, as well. Set a pretend birth date for the doll. You might even celebrate it a little early with some pretend gifts and real and yummy cake.

Be proud...