By Katelyn Fry
July 24, 2017


My sister just announced that she is expecting her second child, a boy! To our pleasant surprise, my two-year-old niece, Ava, is over-the-moon. But, that’s not always the case. Telling kids that a new baby is on the way can be a tricky conversation. Will they understand? Will they be upset or jealous?

Here are some ways to make that conversation go smoothly and help your nieces and nephews feel excited and ready to be a big brother or sister.

When you’re talking to your nieces and nephews about their future siblings, show your enthusiasm! Be all smiles when you tell them what great news this is. If they see that the people they love are happy, they may be more inclined to be so as well.

Try the “you’re not the baby anymore” approach. Explain that now that they have a brother or sister on the way, they are no longer considered the “baby” of the family and are officially one of the big kids.

Make them feel important. In being the older sibling, they now get to help take care of the family’s newest addition. Go through all of their favorite games, books, movies, toys, etc. and tell them how fun it will be to share them with the new baby. “Remember all the times I read this book to you? You get to read it to the baby now!”

Parenting.com recommends giving kids the opportunity to interact with babies. Set up a play-date with one of your friends and their child/children so your nieces and nephews can get comfortable being around that age group. Parenting.com also recommends playing make-believe with a baby doll can be equally effective.

Take them shopping! Pick out new clothes, toys or bedroom decorations. Allow them to choose a few items all on their own; the feeling of accomplishment and direct involvement with their new sibling may get them a little more excited.

TodaysParent.com stresses the importance of making sure the soon-to-be-big-siblings don’t fall into the new baby’s shadow. After the baby is born, be sure to continue having special one-on-one time with your older nieces and nephews. This is particularly important in the immediate months following the baby’s arrival, when the spotlight is on him or her. Make sure big brother or sister knows they are just as loved as they were before.

Tell them that in having a baby brother or sister, they have a new best friend, too! I remember talking to my other niece, Mikayla, when my other sister was pregnant with her second child, and asking her, “how cool is it that you’ll always have someone to play with?!” The idea of constantly having a playmate brought a smile to her face.

Reminisce about when you and your siblings were their age, and how much fun it was to grow up together. Remind them how close you and their mom or dad are, and tell them that that is exactly what they are about to have with their baby brother or sister.

With a Savvy Auntie as their guide throughout this new chapter in their life, your nieces and nephews will be counting down the days until their baby brother or sister arrives!




Photo: Samuel Borges