As we get closer and closer to Mac’s impending arrival (5.5 weeks away, but who’s counting!?!), we’ve been thinking of ways to make it extra special and memorable for Abby as well. Thanks to some friends and family, we’ve been offered some wonderful suggestions on how to make Abby feel like it’s a special day for her as well. Here are my two favorites so far ::
- Have Mac give Abby a gift :: we’ve heard this idea too many times to count, so it must really work. The idea is to have the newborn give the older sibling a special present – I have one friend who told me that all through his youth and even into his adulthood, he never forgot the gift his younger sister gave him and how great he thought it was. It was a bonding experience for them. Simple, yet cool.
- Turn it into a Birthday Party in the Hospital :: I LOVE this idea. We’ll have to enlist the help of Travis’ parents on this one because they’ll be with Abby when we’re at the hospital so I better get on discussing the idea with them, but I think this is so fun. Abby, with the help of her grandparents, will prepare some cupcakes to celebrate her sister’s birthday. Then they can bring a few cupcakes (one with a “0″ on it for Mac…too cute) and a balloon (or something birthday-ish) and we can have a mini birthday party in the hospital for Mac. Who doesn’t love a good birthday party!?! Adorable, right?
So I have two questions for everyone ::
- Gift from Mac to Abby :: anyone have any fun ideas on what Mac could give Abby? I’d love it to be something thoughtful and creative, but I’m having a hard time figuring it out.
- More Ideas :: do you have any other ideas on how to make the older sibling feel special when their new sibling arrives?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated – thanks in advance!!!
September 26, 2012 at 12:49 PM
When we were going through the same thing I read somewhere that the baby shouldn’t give the big sister a present. It said that it can confuse the older kid because they kinda “get” that the baby is just a baby. I have no idea if that is true or not, and I don’t remember where I read it, so I can offer no help. I do remember it saying that presents from the parents to the older child were totally appropriate though.
Since Abby will no longer be your “baby” I think it would be best to really play up her new big sister role, so she feels important, and not replaced. I love the idea of having her help make birthday party stuff for Mac.
Our girls got new big sister shirts to wear to the hospital, presents for grandparents and visitors to give to them (dollar store books, puzzles, toys, etc) and a bag of some old familiar, some brand new stuff to entertain them at the hospital.
I do love the birthday party idea though! Very cute.
October 4, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Wow, I’m slow to respond to these…sorry!
Nina, I wonder at what age the older siblings would get confused?? I feel like Abby’s too young to really “get it,” but I could be 100% wrong! Very possible.
haha
And I agree that playing up the big sister role is key…the book you recommended has been great as well. She loves it! She’s recently been creating “babies” out of her playdough, so I think she’s getting excited in her own little way.
Can’t wait to see how it all plays out in real life!
September 26, 2012 at 12:55 PM
What about a “Sisters” photo album or personalized frame that they can add pictures to or switch out on an annual basis. And maybe her most favorite treat or something that is very personal to her already. So Abby is like “how did she know”. You are too cute, I like the way you think about this stuff. Congratulations guys!
September 26, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Take a polaroid and put it in right there in the hospital.
October 4, 2012 at 9:17 AM
Great idea, Jen – Travis also loves the idea of doing a photo album or a frame of some sort. I think that would be super special. How great would it be for Abby to have a “big sister” frame from her sister with a picture of the two of them from Mac’s first day of life!? So cute!
September 26, 2012 at 1:06 PM
I had my daughter give her little brother a present at the hospital when he was born (she picked out a little book and she loves it that it is now one of his favorite ones to read), but she also got a little present too to make it special for her as well.
October 4, 2012 at 9:17 AM
Abby loves books, so a book is always a fabulous idea!
September 26, 2012 at 1:34 PM
I like the present idea from Mac…I think it will be confusing an overwhelming for Abby that maybe a party (although a great idea) might make it more overwhelming for Abby!! Or it could be awesome too maybe have Abby make cupcakes and bring something for Mac like a stuffed animal or outfit and she can give her something too I don’t know both ideas are great maybe do both that way if you do the party Abby won’t feel left out and it can be a celebration for Mac and for Abby becoming a big sister
October 4, 2012 at 9:18 AM
Ya, we’ll try to keep the party fun but not overwhelming (because if it were a real party, I’m pretty sure I’d be super duper overwhelmed also!!!)…haha, could you imagine!?!
September 26, 2012 at 2:24 PM
Lily “gave” Cal a train table (i.e. a big gift we knew he’d love and play with for a long time) AND we then had Lily “give” Cal trains here-and-there over the first few weeks. It kept her in his good graces and we still have about 10 stored away for those days where mama needs a good toddler by her side.
Maybe there is something Abby would love that you can add onto (I don’t know about girls yet…My Little Pony???? no idea).
One more idea – I am a huge fan of custom picture books (look up Paper Hat Press as initial idea – Cal loves his “Little Super”). Maybe Mac could give Abby a book on her birth day, then a few more over the first few weeks?
October 4, 2012 at 9:19 AM
I soooo wish Mac could give Abby a train table…haha, it would make her year (we just don’t have any space…sad!)!! But I love the idea of her giving a gift that can be added to over time…great idea!