Toddlers are tricky business. Just when you think you’ve got them figured out, something changes. He will only eat carrots on Monday, but by Tuesday seem to think carrots are lethal. She is willing to let you pick out an adorable outfit, but must pair it with rain boots and a tiara. These quirks are small in the grand scheme of toddlerhood. Some things present far greater challenges and can cause tremendous amounts of strain in a household. Potty training is high on the list, but the number one fear factor of toddler parents is bringing home a new family member.

Bringing Home Baby

From the moment a mother discovers she is expecting a second bundle of joy, her thoughts spend a great deal of time dwelling on the dreaded sibling rivalry. How will her precious first born ever adapt to the intrusion? Will there ever be love in and amongst the squabbles? Will the young family survive? While some form of sibling rivalry is to be expected with the arrival of a second baby, there are ways to help your toddler adjust with little or no damage.

Make the Toddler Special

The moment the new baby arrives, as hard as we try, the toddler in the family seems to suddenly be shoved out of the spotlight. If we are able to let the light shine awhile longer, little boys and girls will be less likely to throw tantrums or accidentally hit their new brother. Every time the new baby gets a gift, offer a gift to your toddler.

The gifts can be fun, yet practical such as a Minimink Fur Hat or B/G Merino Wool blankets by ducduc. Another solution would be to offer something truly special, such as a toy piano. These gifts not only intrigue the older child, but can offer some welcome distraction from the overwhelming amount of baby admiring going on in the house these days.

Build Up a Toddler Reputation

Being a big brother or sister is a very important role. It is crucial to play this up for your reluctant young hero. Big boys and girls get to do so much more than babies. Babies just lie around all day; they certainly can’t do fun things with Mom like make cookies or build a fort. Baby jewelry, such as the “Big Sis” and “Lil Sis” bracelets make it easy to celebrate the difference between the big girls and babies in your household.