Since our 12 week scan we have tried to involve Emmy in any discussions we have had about her new sibling. She came along with us to our 20 week scan and found out she was to have a Brother and has been rather excited about the whole thing so far.
We have taken a relaxed approach with her and taken her lead too. If she wanted to talk about babies then we have spoken about it, however there have of course been times when baby has been mentioned when she starts crying and says “NO, Emmy a baby” – I of course agree with her as she is my baby and always will be.
Emmy knows her baby Brother’s name and we use it around her all the time, whenever we refer to the baby we call him “Baby …….” (Sorry I’m not revealing that now, you’ll find out when everyone else does, we need some secrets after all). She also likes to feel baby moving however he often won’t play ball with her – luckily she is small enough not to understand so I pretend her is kicking her hand or ear when she tries to listen and she LOVES this, often shouting and giggling “naughty baby …..” or “Baby ….. kicked me, cheeky monkey”.
We have been reading books about new arrivals to Emmy so she gets used to the idea and my favourite of the few I have brought so far is: There’s a HOUSE inside my MUMMY by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Vanessa Cabban.
Giles wrote this book when his wife was expecting their second child and wanted to prepare their 2 year old Flinn for his new brother or sister, which actually turned out to be a brother AND a sister.
“There’s a house inside my Mummy
Where my little brother grows,
Or maybe it’s my little sister
No one really knows.
My Daddy says I lived there too
When I was being made,
But I don’t remember very much
About it I’m afraid.
He always likes to tell me
It’s a lovely place to be,
He knows because he’s seen it
On the hospital’s T.V.
It’s very warm and cosy
But because there’s not a bed,
There’s a sort of giant bathtub,
Where the baby sleeps instead.
He needs to have a lot of room
To help him grow and play,
And that’s why Mummy’s tummy house
Gets bigger every day.
It’s got to have a kitchen
So he doesn’t get too thin,
And I think the food Mummy eats
Can find its way to him.
He seems to want such funny things
But Mummy’s very kind,
So she eats all sorts of crazy stuff
And doesn’t seem to mind…”
That is just some of the book which has become our favourite bedtime read and Emmy asks for it every single night. It really is a wonderful book and I would highly recommend it to anyone expecting another child to help prepare their child for what is to come, it is also beautifully illustrated too. I wasn’t asked to write a review on this and brought it myself however I thought I would share it with you in the hopes that you may like it as much as I do. It is published by Orchard Books, has a RRP of £5.99 and is aimed at children aged 2+.
Giles also wrote “Giraffe’s can’t dance”, “Rumble in the Jungle”, “I love my Mummy” and is the voice of Purple Ronnie.
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Clare
Hi, I'm Clare (Emmy's Mummy). A former Nanny and Mother of 2 - Emmy (born February 2010) and Harry (born October 2012). We are Essex based and share our adventures and misadventures of a busy crazy life.
Comments (2)
I agree this book is great for your toddler when you're expecting – I read this one an awful lot too. The pictures are the best though – I particularly relate to the one where Mummy falls asleep on the sofa : )
24 July 2012 08:29
I agree this book is great for your toddler when you're expecting – I read this one an awful lot too. The pictures are the best though – I particularly relate to the one where Mummy falls asleep on the sofa : )
I agree this book is great for your toddler when you're expecting – I read this one an awful lot too. The pictures are the best though – I particularly relate to the one where Mummy falls asleep on the sofa : )
24 July 2012 08:29
I agree this book is great for your toddler when you're expecting – I read this one an awful lot too. The pictures are the best though – I particularly relate to the one where Mummy falls asleep on the sofa : )