Many times during this happy occasion of a new baby coming into the family with current children, there is some feeling of displacement for the brother-to-be or sister-to-be. They may feel a sense of being left out and will react to the new changes right away in the family growing, especially if they were the only child in the house up until now.

We had someone write in to baby shower 101 who had an excellent idea which is to make a Big Brother or Big Sister Kit for your little one. This can be given at the baby shower as a baby shower gift for the brother/sister to be opened on the special day of the new bundle of joy arriving. Here are some items that can be placed in the gift box:

• A favorite book along with an education book like "I'm Going to Be a Big Brother" (they had sister, too)
• Some candy or favorite treats to make the time pass
• One of their favorite games to play (they don't have already) that is easily transportable
• A little "friend" weather it is a stuffed animal, figure, or something they like
• A little note (card) from mommy and daddy to be that they are loved and look forward to introducing the new addition to the family
• A pen, crayons, markers and paper for the new brother/sister to write a card to his new brother/sister (to express his feelings)

Although it is a very happy time, it is important for the parents-to-be to take into consideration what their current children may experience. I remember as a child that I did not understand why my parents wanted a third child and discussed this with one of my friends who also remembers this conversation 37 years ago!

Your big boy and/or big girl will really appreciate this and it will also help them have fun with the process as well as help time pass if it is a long birth (hopefully not J) . It is also important to have a plan ready way in advance of who the big brother or big sister will stay with while the mommy and daddy to be are busy with the labor and birth.

Baby Shower Game: Big Brother (or Sister) Too - (Materials: large plastic coin bank, shaped like a baby bottle if possible and M&Ms or other candy) - Find a large plastic coin bank shaped like a baby bottle and filled it with M&M's. Baby Shower guests will write their guess of how many M&M's were in the bottle. While mommy opened gifts have someone go through the guesses to find the winner. The bottle with M&M's will go home to the new big brother or sister (if they are old enough) - candy for him/her to eat now - and a coin bank he/she can fill with change to buy a 1st birthday present for his/her new little brother/sister next year. The baby shower guest winner got a large bag of M&M's for themselves or a little baby shower gift.

Please use our baby shower bulletin board to get help or to help others who may be having a difficult time coming up with ideas.