Don’t feel give into “mommy guilt.” Spending time with your partner and working on your relationship is often just as important as being a mom. Your family life will be much happier as a result.
Handling Sibling Rivalry
Baby doesn’t make three in every family. When you have older children, navigating family dynamics includes having to handle sibling rivalry. This is especially true if this is your second child.
Your older child may not understand why you’re spending so much time with the new baby. He or she may act out and display jealousy towards the baby. To help your child adjust, make sure that you set aside time every day to spend with him or her. You may need to get your partner or another family member to watch the baby during this time.
Another way to handle sibling rivalry is to get your older child involved with the baby. Give your child easy tasks to perform, such as bringing you new diapers, choosing the baby’s outfit that day, or help brush the baby’s hair. The more involved the older sibling is, he or she will develop a sense of connectedness to this new change.
Open Communication is Key
Whether baby makes three, four, or five, when it comes to navigating family dynamics, you want to have open communication with the other members of your family. You don’t want anyone to feel left out. For the happiest family possible, you should communicate how much you love and appreciate every person, from your husband to the new big brothers or sisters.