Welcoming a little brother or sister: gently supporting your older children
Posted by Equipe Tikino on
The arrival of a new baby in the family is a moment filled with emotions... and sometimes upheavals for older siblings. How can you help them navigate this transition calmly? At Tikino, we believe that gentleness, attentiveness, and the magic of stories can play a valuable role in supporting this stage.
Gently preparing for the arrival
The key is anticipation. Early in the pregnancy, explain to your child that a baby will be arriving. Adapt your words to their age, answer their questions simply, without oversharing.
📚 Tikino tip: use stories as a support. Stories featuring siblings allow children to project themselves and express what they feel. Many books address this topic.
In the Tikino catalog, you will find several titles dealing with the subject of babies, birth, or siblings for different ages:
- Mes P'tits docs vol 2: episode about babies, from 4 years old
- Once Upon a Time... Life, Birth, from 7 years old
- Little Brother to Give Away in Stories for Little Ones: from 3 years old
- Between Two Sisters from 4 years old
Valuing their role as an older sibling
The arrival of a baby can create a sense of loss of status. The child is no longer "the youngest," and this can be difficult. Give them a valued role.
🫶 Involve without burdening: they can choose a comforter for the baby, help set up their things
🎉 Celebrate their new role: why not offer a "big brother box" or "big sister box" with surprises, a sweet note. Offering Tikino on this occasion is a great idea for calm and bonding moments with mom and dad, who will also need to relax.
Maintaining exclusive time
The hardest thing after the baby arrives? Finding time for the older sibling. And yet, it is essential so that they don't feel left out.
⏰ Even 10 minutes a day of play or shared listening to a story makes all the difference. It shows them that they still have a unique place.
🎥 Tikino Tip: watching a gentle story together with the projector creates a precious, cozy moment just for them.
Welcoming emotions
Anger, sadness, jealousy... all of this is normal. Don't minimize it: listen, reassure, welcome emotions.
💬 “It’s okay to be angry. It’s not easy to share mom and dad.” This kind of phrase helps put words to feelings.
🌈 Tikino stories can also evoke jealousy or fear of change. They help to open up communication, gently.
Our content, including "Emotions in Music," can be a great way to better understand their feelings and help them find the right words for them.
In summary…
Welcoming a little brother or sister is a big step in a child's life. By supporting them with kindness, valuing their place, and offering them moments just for themselves, you help them navigate this stage serenely.
And because the magic of stories can change everything, Tikino is here to support you during these transition periods.
