Monday, February 9, 2015

How to celebrate a BIRTHday as a family

Today JP turns one month old!  Part of me thinks "Wow! She's already a month old!", while the other part of me feels like she has been part of our family forever.  To celebrate her being a month old today, I thought I'd share how we celebrate BIRTHdays in our family.

How to celebrate a BIRTHday as a family - 3 simple ways to make your older child(ren) feel special when the new baby arrives

It is the big day - your baby is born!  Family comes to visit, friends send their congratulations, and all you can think of and care about is that little baby you hold in your arms...  I wish it was that simple!  As a Mom of more than one child you not only are cherishing everything about your new bundle of joy, but you're also worried about your other baby or babies at home.  Are all the kids going to get along?  Is there going to be jealousy?  How is adding one more going to change our family dynamics?  To help decrease any of these anxieties, our family celebrates the new baby's BIRTHday in three simple ways:

How to celebrate a BIRTHday as a family - Sibling Gifts, Big Brother Gift Ideas, Big Sister Hospital Gift Ideas
Sibling Gifts:  Big Brother and Big Sister gifts can be as big or little as you like.  First, we (Mom & Dad) always give the new sibling(s) a big brother/sister shirt they can wear at the hospital.  Second, the new baby gives the older sibling(s) a gift the first day at the hospital.  We always tell our kids that the baby feels so lucky to have them as their older sibling that they brought them a gift.  The sibling gift starts with a special bag (when MP was born our son LP received a John Deere backpack he'd been eyeing for a couple of months, and this time when JP was born both kids got personalized Cinch Sacks).  The great thing about these bags is that they are reusable and can not only store all of their things at the hospital, but wherever and everywhere after the baby is home.  Inside the bag we include a new book, activities (such as coloring/sketch books, games, cards) to do at the hospital, and snacks for the hospital.  Both LP and MP really enjoyed their cameras in their bags from JP.  We got LP a disposable camera (which he actually did take a few good photos) and MP a play camera.

How to celebrate a BIRTHday as a family - Share family photos at hospital to help older sibling(s) know this is a special time for the entire family
Share Family Photos:  Make sure to bring a family photo or a photo of your older child(ren) to the hospital to display.  This way your older child(ren) know that this is a special time for your entire family.  We have always put a photo of the older sibling(s) in the baby's hospital bed.  We tell them that that baby loves looking at their photo, and that all of their nurses and doctors know that they are the baby's big brother/sister.

Throw a BIRTHday party at the hospital for your new baby - great way to make older sibling(s) feel included
Throw a BIRTHday Party:  What kid doesn't like a birthday party, especially if they get to help plan it?  On the first full day in the hospital we have a BIRTHday party complete with cake and ice cream picked out by the older sibling(s).  The morning of the first full day My Farmer takes the kid(s) shopping for a going home outfit for the baby, a cake and ice cream (and sometimes whatever else they deem necessary while out shopping...).  We tell all of our visiting family that cake and ice cream will be served all day to celebrate and the older sibling(s) are the host(ess) of the party.  They welcome everyone to the party and get the special role of introducing their new baby sibling to guests.  Be sure to sing Happy Birthday too!

Those are three simple ways we celebrate the arrival of a new family member.  What are some things your family has done?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

11 comments:

  1. Happy one month to JP! Her siblings take such good care of her. This post makes me feel so happy. You are an incredible family.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy one month!!! I can't wait to meet her in person! I love all of your special ideas for both the older siblings and for the newest addition. You guys are such great parents. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Beth Ann and yes, we'll have to have you two meet soon!

      Delete
  3. So cute! I love all these ideas! You are great parents! (And happy one month to JP)!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such good ideas! She's a cutie, fits right into your family perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Replies
    1. Thank you. LP inspired the birthday party tradition!

      Delete
  6. Top quality Ramo Buchon San Diego Rosas Bouquet For Wedding Engagement also for Best Wishes, Home Decorations etc.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Top quality Ramo Buchon San Diego Rosas Bouquet For baby shower, Wedding Engagement also for Best Wishes, Home Decorations etc.

    ReplyDelete