How do i get her to understand

United States
November 13, 2007 8:02am CST
i have a little 5 year old sister, who seems to think that i am pushing her out of the 'picture'. because i am having a baby she thinks that i wont spend any time with her anymore, and im concerned that shes going to be very jealous of my little one. i don't want her to think this, but i also want her to know that my baby comes first. please help me with some advice on how to tell her where she can understand. thanx!
6 people like this
14 responses
• India
14 Nov 07
jesus christ is our father...so give ur daughter a new king james bible to read...teach her to pray to god..tell her to watch this is your day program on god tv or tbn...god bless u...do not get irritated but love her....god is love
• Australia
19 Nov 07
It's not her daughter - it's her sister.
@juhiram (187)
14 Nov 07
at first u r with u'r sister not with u'r child so she should be given first priority i think.After marriange every women will think that her family is important and not her parents or respective sisters and brothers without the u r certainly not there right s give equal priority you should be with u'r sister in such a way that you have to create a confidence in her that u r a good sister and also be a god companion to her becaouse u r the only sister to her as a blood relation comes....so be a good sister rather a good mother with respect to u'r sister and give u'r child to u'r sister and say that this child is also a good one to u.....okay
• Australia
19 Nov 07
:( You cant choose your sibling over a child that you have given birth to, that just doesn't work. I don't wish to sound rude but you cant give up being a good mother just to stop a sinling from being jealous. These things happen & the sister will be ok after a little while, she just has to adjust to being an Aunt & not the youngest one getting all the attention any more. As much as i love my sibling, it's my responsibility to be a good mother first, since my daughter is young, my siblings are old enough to take care of themselves but i am there for them!
@MGjhaud (23252)
• Philippines
21 Nov 07
Just in time your little sister will understand, for now let her feel like she’ll be left out soon. But believe me it’ll change especially by the time she’ll see the baby. Just keep on talking to her like what would she be like to name your baby or what would she be like to have your baby when out – boy or girl, you know things like that…
@lizabeth (666)
• United States
13 Nov 07
Well its understandable that a 5 yr. old would feel that way. I would just reassure her that you love her and that you will still spend time with her. When the baby comes she may be jealous, but I would try to include her and let her help out somewhat with the baby. Show her that she is still important and that she will be an aunt and the baby is going to look up to her. I'm sure it will work out for you. Good Luck!
• United States
13 Nov 07
thanx, but i have tried to tell her that she will be a great aunt, and that she will be able to help out...maybe shell understand better when the baby actually arrives!
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
19 Nov 07
You shouldn't tell her that the baby comes first - that will break her little heart BUT you can do a lot of things so she realises she's just as important as she always was but that you have a baby who cant do things for himself so you have to do them for him/her! Make her feel needed, ask her to help you as much as possible, getting things for the baby, helping to dress bub, helping wash bub in the bath etc. Let her know she's an Auntie now & explain to her that she needs to be a big girl & help to take care of her new niece/nephew! All she needs is to know that you're still there for her & that she's a VERY important person in the baby's life & you need her to be helpful! She'll understand eventually but make sure to include her in as many things as possible - so she doesn't feel left out or pushed out of the picture! Good Luck!
@only1shi (404)
• United States
27 Nov 07
i know how she is. when she's used to being the baby of the family, it will take some adapting to the situation. let her do little things like changing the baby's diaper or getting her stuff together for a bath. when she gets to be a part of the baby's daily activities, she'll see how important she is to the baby and the jealousy will eventually subside.
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
14 Nov 07
What about getting a t-shirt done that has Auntie and her name on it. Get it done in her favorite color of course. Then she can wear it when she's with you. I didn't have a problem with my sister, now I did have one with my oldest child. Just do your best to include her. Let her know that you love her. Even after the baby arrives show her that you love her. The very second, you ignore her she will feel like you don't love her anymore. Once the baby comes, which will take a lot of time. You can get her to help you by bringing diapers, wipes, burp clothes, etc. You can let her pick out an outfit for the baby to wear. Now if you have a girl, you can see if you can get matching outfits. My youngest is 5 now and loves to dress like her big sister. That will make her feel important. If a boy, can do the same just in blue or green, lol. Almost forgot, you can get a Big sister t-shirt and a little sister t-shirt for each of you to wear around after the baby is born and it's just you to. Believe me, you will need to spend time away from the baby. Good Luck, and congrats.
@subha12 (18441)
• India
14 Nov 07
Its quite natural for a 5 yr old to think that way. Its also so as she loves you. But make her understand taht she is also important in your life. Also make her think that what activities she is going to take part when the baby arives. Slowly it will make her adaptable to this situation.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
13 Nov 07
I would keep her as involved as possible and keep reassuring her. Let her help you prepare things for the baby before the baby comes. Create a special day where the two of you can find time to spend together and do what she wants.
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
13 Nov 07
We went through that when we had our second child, my SIL was only 7 and thought that the baby was going to ruin her life. She has had some issues, but it has been more along the lines of resentment towards me because she feels I took her big brother away. We have tried to spend time with her and she wants nothing to do with us. My sister is pregnant and due in February, she has always been close to my oldest (who is 12) and my daughter is convinced that when her Aunt has the baby she won't matter anymore. We keep telling her that Aunt Meg will still love her and she will makea great cousin. I also told her that when I had her brother and sister it didn't mean I loved her any less, that a family members heart is endless when it comes to people they care about.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
13 Nov 07
New baby in the family! - babies on couch
At 5 years old I don't think there is any way you can make her understand. Right now just let her be part of your carrying the baby in your tummy and let her feel it kick and things like that. 5 years old is very young for this type of thing but once your child is here it will be so much easier for you to show her that you still love her and she is a big part of your life.
• United States
13 Nov 07
my son was 5 when my sister had her first kid. And they were and still are very close. Hopefully you are including her on the baby preparations. Get her excited about the new baby. Lets her pick out clothes, toys for the new baby. This helped my son alot when my sis was pregnant. that he got to help, and it made him excited. We also told him that he was gonna be the big boy and be able to teach the new baby stuff, walking, talking, etc... If you make your sis apart of it all it will make her feel better, she will not be left out at all, and will actually welcome the new babe. And of course you will have to put your little one first, but put it in a way by telling her that the baby is so needy, If you out and out say the baby comes first it will make her jealous. It's easy to get so caught up with the baby preparations just make sure that your putting aside some time for you and her. This way when the baby comes she will not feel casted aside
• China
14 Nov 07
i am from china,but now i am a student in the university.so i think i can give you some tips. first, you can give her a formal cheet so that she can take you feeling serious, second, you can get help from her teachers and her friends, also you can give her a good time enjoyed in the park.
• United States
13 Nov 07
I went through the same thing with my little sis when I was pregnant with my son. I just made sure that I included her as much as possible during the pregnancy. For example I took her baby shoping with me and asked her what baby names she would like to add to my baby name list. I would read books to her and the baby and let her try to read to the baby too. Over all just make sure that she feels included too and it will go a long way to keeping her from feeling jealous.