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From: elt@astrovax.UUCP (Ed Turner)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Preparing the Way for No. 2
Message-ID: <403@astrovax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 26-Jul-84 10:16:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: astrovax.403
Posted: Thu Jul 26 10:16:53 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Jul-84 20:14:28 EDT
Organization: Princeton Univ. Astrophysics
Lines: 22

My wife and I have a son who is 6 years old and are happily anticipating
the arrival of a second child in November.  The issue on which I seek the
net's "wisdom" is how to help our 6 year old prepare for the arrival of his
sibling and the inevitable impact on his life.

Generally I would be interested in any tips on how to promote good sibling
relations, problems to anticipate, advantages or disadvantages of a fairly
large age difference, etc.  Both my wife and I are a bit apprehensive about
this issue, perhaps because neither of us had satisfactory relationships
with our siblings as children.

I should mention that our son already knows that a baby is on the way and is
*very* happy about the prospect.  Of course this theoretical enthusiasm will
undoubted be dampened (at least at times) by the reality of jealousies, etc.
One experienced (3 grown children) friend even suggested that we tell our
son that he should expect to be "mad at the baby" sometimes so that he will
not feel guilty about any negative emotions he may have.  Mostly we have
told him how much fun it will be to be a "big brother", an idea he responds
to well as I mentioned before.

Ed Turner
astrovax!elt