New addition to the family
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
United States
July 18, 2008 9:57pm CST
My daughter just had a C-section on Thursday. She had a baby boy who weighed in a 8lbs. 4 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. Mom had minor complications, but is recuperating well. Dad is very tired, and does not like to leave Mom for any amount of time. Big sister, 9 years of age, is also very tired. But Sis is tired of sharing baby brother with all the visitors. She was so excited about brother coming along, she declined a trip to an adventure park with her fellow students on
Thursday.
All grandparents and visiting family have gone home for a few days togive them family time during dad's 2 days off from work and Mom's hospitalization. I will be returning on Sunday evening so Dad can go to work on Monday.
Sis is very proud to have a baby brother, and is looking forward to helping Mom take cre of him in any way that she can. Her and Mom decorated the nursery, and painted cute pictures for the walls, assembled the baby swing, and helped set it up so everything is handy.
when Mom became pregnant, we feared Sis would have a problem adjusting since she was an only child for so long. Now she seems to be obsessed with her brother. Do you think there is anything to really worry about? Will she be fine with him in her life? I really do think so. Please let me know how you feel on this topic. Have you shared something like this before and how did it end up going?
7 people like this
16 responses
@Amberina (1541)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Congratulation's on your new family member, babies are so nice to have around they are just blank tapes easily recording everything around them. I think the older child will be fine with the baby she will protect him as he gets older and goes to school. She will be a wonderful older sister to him.
Good luck and enjoy the baby! 
2 people like this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi Amberina,
Thanks for the congrats! Big sis is doing very well with the new addition. That is HER brother and she is so proud to be the big sis. I also think she will be very protective of him as he grows up. She is showing some of that now.
Have a nice day..
@thekenj (78)
• United States
19 Jul 08
I don't think there is anything to worry about especially if she seems to be so excited an accepting. I'm sure she'll be fine with him in her life. As far as the topic on a new addition to the family being a burden on an so far only child. That's up to the parents. There can't be any favoritism going on ever with any of your children. All of your kids have to get treatly equally as well as specially because they're all different. And they all will need different things. A new baby will need to be paid attention to more in a sense that the new baby needs to have everything done for him to grow into a strong healthy toddler and so on. But you can't become stressed out as a new parent and fail to do the things your older child has always enjoyed because that's special to her as well. As a fair parent you have to take on that responsibility and make sure you follow through on that. You can't have the new baby feeling that he's lucky to have you as a parent while making your older child feel like she's lost a parent.
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi thekenj,
You are so right on that subject!! That is one thing that I noticed with my daughter and son-in-law. They share their time with both children very well. Everything is done including the big sis. That makes her feel secure, and helps her adapt to changes. Everything that is happening in the family is explained to her thoroughly. She has certain responsibilities that are hers, like any child should have. She feels like her family has grown, and is very proud of that.
Have a nice day..
@34momma (13882)
• United States
19 Jul 08
i don't think there is going to be a problem because she is older. now if she was three like my little one who doesn't like if i pick up the dog without giving her a kiss first, then i would think you might have an issue. i say relax and enjoy
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi 34momma,
Thanks for the advice. It was real good advice by the way. I don't think we have anything to worry about. She has taken to the baby quite well. She does claim as HER brother. She wouldn't go anywhere if the baby was at home. I offered to take her shopping, but she declined.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
3 Aug 08
I never had the problem, my brother and I were two and a half years apart, so my problem was the exact opposite, being old enough to care for a baby brother or sister but being unable to do so as when my brother came along I was just out of being a baby myself. I think that she will do fine. She will love having some one to care for and it will give her practice when she goes out babysitting, if she does not already.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
4 Aug 08
My mother cut my food up until I was around ten, and when I wanted to go babysitting, my dad took all my babysitting money. So when I hear that some children actually help their parents and do more than help make cakes and cookies and lick the batter, I get angry. Do you realize that many of my friend's or my friends's children get married when they are eighteen or so, and are able to keep house, cook, sew, etc. and were nurses and teachers to boot. Me? I never married until my late twenties and part of the reason was that I was not allowed to grow up.
You are lucky that you were allowed to take responsibility.
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
9 Aug 08
I'm so sorry suspenseful. Growing up is part of childhood. Not all parents want to see their young ones grow up, so they do for them as much as they can to keep the little and dependent. With my 5 children, they all had some responsibility around the house while I worked at a full time job. When they started talking about wanting to move out, I told them there would be a few things that would make me feel better about their being on their own. One was to have a decent paying job after graduation abd the other would be they would have to take a Home Ec class to learn to cook and sew a little. All my boys took Home Ec and my daughter took shop. She was the only one that did not know how to cook much of anything. Lucky for her, her husband took Home Ec with her brother. LOL
Have a nice day..
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi suspenseful,
I was the oldest of four children. My mother was an epileptic, so I was the one to watch the others, so life was fun, or NOT. Dad worked in the fields, so meals were left to me at the age of six. Not an easy feat for a six year old, but we survived. Big Sis is old enough to have experienced a litlle more free time, and learned to do more than I did. She is doing well with the little one. She experiences something new everyday with him, and is adding it all up. She will be returning to school next month and we will see how things go when the routine changes.
Have a nice day..
1 person likes this
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
19 Jul 08
Congratulations. Thats good that your giving the family time to bond they need that. How exciting though. I'm sure you will get alot of time with the family once those days are over and she will be looking forward to the time with you.
1 person likes this
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
1 Aug 08
awww sorry you don't get to see them too much and they live far away. I was worried about moving an hour away from my mom but I need her near me. The more I think about it the more I can't move. I would feel stuck if I moved an hour away and alone. Try and spend as much time as you can with them. They grow up way too fast.
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Oh so true!! They do grow up so fast. The family is coming over today, so I will get a chance to see what progress they all have made. Then I will have to plan a trip their way within the next three weeks or so.
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi mflower,
Thanks for the congrats! The family is doing well. They live 2 1/2 hours from me, and I have a fulltime job with odd days off so it is hard for me to get to them very often. I will just be trying harder to get to them more. They were all so grateful that I was able to come up for this time with them.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
19 Jul 08
I think the new little brother is a very lucky little boy...he'll have a big sister that will dote on him! congrats to all of you! There is nothing in the world as exciting as having a new little one in the family! Woo Hoo!!!! Hugs to all!
2 people like this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi jill,
Thanks for the congrats!! A new bundle of joy for all to dote on. What fun!! Thanks for the hugs too! Big Sis is feeling she is the lucky one for now.
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
1 Aug 08
Congratulations! :)
What a big bag of sugar, or make that spice! LOL! :)
---
The Best Grandson
There was this little old lady who was nearly blind and she had three grandsons who wanted to prove which one was the best grandson to her.
So Grandson #1 bought her a 15-room mansion thinking this would surely be the best any of them could offer her.
GrandSon #2 bought her a beautiful Mercedes with a chauffeur included thinking her would surely win her approval.
GrandSon #3 had to do something even better than these so he bought her a trained parrot that had been training for 15 years to memorize the entire Bible. You could ask of him any verse in the Bible and the parrot could quote it word for word. What a gift that would be.
Well, the old lady went to the first grandson and said, "Son, the house is just gorgeous but it's really much too big for me. I only live in one room, and it's much too large for me to clean and take care of. I really don't need the house, but thank you anyway."
Then she confronted her second grandson with "Son, the car is beautiful, it has everything you could ever want on it, but I don't drive and I really don't like that driver, so please return the car."
Next, she went to grandson number three and said, "Son I just want to thank you for that most thoughtful gift. That chicken was delicious." 
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi peaceful,
Thanks for the congrats!
I really enjoyed the joke. LOL Grandsons are such a blessing. Dad really needs the male companionship. He likes to go fishing, boating, camping and hiking. Little brother pretty much has lots of adventures ahead of him. He is a good addition to the family.
Have a nice day..
@Cajunhellcat (2073)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Well congs on the new baby My grandbaby is 7 and her mother is due on Sept 25 We are afarid we are going to have trouble with her to.
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi Cajun,
First, thanks for the congrats!! Second, congratulations to you on the addition to your family! Things are going pretty good with Big Sis and little brother. She has accepted him very well. She is very helpful to Mom, and loves to hold little brother. Little girls seem to like babies, so hopefully all will be well for you and yours.
Have a nice day..
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi Katlady2,
Thanks for the congrats!! Big Sis is so overly happy with her little brother. He is her new toy, but I hope she does not tire of him like a new toy. LOL You are right, at least she did not reject him, thank goodness! He is so sweet and adorable, she couldn't reject that little bundle of joy!!
Have a nice day..
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
19 Jul 08
Congratulations on the new addition to the family. He sounds just great, wish I could have another, lol. I just love babies. My son and his wife had another recently after their only child a boy was 8 years old. We thought he might have a problem with "the new baby" getting attention and feeling left out. Since he has been the only one. They wanted a girl, got another boy. Everyone is estatic. Including my grandson. He has to hold his brother every chance he gets, with help of course or mom or dad or and adult close by.
He has to help getting things for him, diaper, bottle, clothes, etc. He is very happy with his new baby brother. So far there is nothing to deter him from loving his brother or being there for him.
When they get older, we will see how it goes. I don't think you'll have a problem with your little girl. She will want to help and be a little mommy. Or just love being big sis.
Blessing sto you all.
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi moondancer,
Thanks for the advice, and you were so right! She has taken to the baby real well. She loves doing for him, and holding him every chance she gets. I was there for over a week and she is so helpful. She shows no resentment at all and loves being the big sis. She even asked for a T-shirt that had Big Sis on it, and wears it proudly.
@AmbiePam (94098)
• United States
19 Jul 08
That is wonderful news! I think my mom would have preferred big sis' reaction to me rather than my own sister's reaction. She begged my parents to take me back to the hospital and 'give me back.' It took a while for her to chill out. : ) That is really amazing that a nine year old would rather stick around for her mom and little brother. What an exciting time for all of you!
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi Ambie,
Thanks for responding to this topic. She has taken to the little bundle of joy real well. I went back for over a week and offered to take her shopping, and she declined because she wanted to stay with baby brother. Like you, I was amazed.
1 person likes this
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
21 Jul 08
firstly - congratulations on the 'new addition' to your family.. i hope that your daughter will get strength back very soon.
as for the Big Sister.. dont worry.. if she is already this concern + 'involved' in her Baby Brother's welfare.. she'll be okay.. i just hope that she wont get toooo 'protective' of him, or if too 'scared to share' him with others...
although Big Sister seems so eager to be involved in taking care of the Baby, let it all be 'voluntary'.. i try not to ask my older child (the one older than the baby) to help with the baby if i see that she's not in the 'mood'... because i dont her to feel that the baby is a 'burden' to her... i mean she may seem to be very 'excited' about the baby these earlier months.. just need to watch how she adjust to the 'new life'..
have a nice day..
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi 4mymak,
Thanks for the congrats! My daughter has regained a lot of her strength rather quickly. I was worried that she was pushing herself too hard, but she tells me not to worry. Someone has to be the strong one. LOL
Big Sis is so proud of her new little family. She loves caring for the little one with Mom. She voluntarily does whatever for him. So far she is a little possessive, but will share. Each day is a new experience for her. She adapts rather well to the situation at hand.
They are visiting later today and I am so looking forward to it. Time for a few more pics, and some holding of the little one for Grandma. LOL I feel like I need a fix of some lovin, LOL.
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
9 Aug 08
Congrats to your daughter, and to you.
I'm sure big sis will be fine with her new baby brother. Her reaction is just as normal as the reaction of a child who does the complete opposite. You see, the new addition is the centre of attention, and big sis can gleam at least some of that attention more easily if she is all over him.
Things will work out just fine. I'm sure Big Sis will be a great help to her Mum!!!!
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
9 Aug 08
Hi newzealtralian,
Thanks for the congrats!! Grandson is awesome, and Big Sis is simply remarkable with him. She could have been just the opposite, but we are so thankful that she really enjoys her little bro. Have a nice day..
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi roanne,
Thanks for the congrats. All is well. Everyone is so happy he is here and the rest of the family is doing well.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Jul 08
crazy ol lady she will be fine as she seems to be adjusting
just fine, you all are doing things right and letting her
feel she can help; thats a good thing to do, she will
be just fine and happy as a little lark.Dont worry about'
her she will love that little baby believe me.
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi Hatley,
You were so right! She has taken to that little boy so well. She would rather be right there with him than to go someplace else. She loves her little brother.
@Remembering1996 (2219)
• United States
19 Jul 08
Congradulations on welcoming another grandchild into the family and also to your daughter for doing a good job during the whole procedure. Yes it can take alot of strain out on every one but to see that little bundle of joy wow it's amazeing. I truely hope all goes well for all of you and congrads again. I think there is nothing to worry about for the older daughter will adjust fine as time goes on everything is new and for some jeliousy to be seen is normal it will pass good luck take care. :)
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Hi Remembering,
Thanks for helping to ease my feelings. After spending over a week with the family after the birth of my grandson, I feel my granddaughter will be just fine. This is HER brother. She helps with him a lot.
