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Preparing Siblings Before You Go Into Labor, Plus a GIVEAWAY!

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It’s Labor Day and we know that moms have the toughest job! I thought we’d look at some books to read with siblings before you go into labor with that new baby.  There has been a baby boy explosion this year in my life- Nathan, Bryce, Connor, Eli, Zachary and Benjamin.  All of these boys have joined the families of people that I know. To celebrate all of these births, we are having a great GIVEAWAY today too! So, keep reading.

Before we get to that giveaway, let’s explore some books that can be read in preparation for a new little one joining the household.

Baby on the Way by Sears and Watts Kelly compares how a mother feels during a pregnancy with experiences that a child can relate to in their own lives.  What Baby Needs by the same authors looks at how family life changes when a new infant enters the house.  These books would work well for ages 2-8.

What to Expect When Mommy’s Having a Baby by Murkoff takes you through that list of questions like,  How are babies made?  and How does the baby grow?  You may know Murkoff from her adult book, What to Expect When You are Expecting.  This one would probably be best for ages 3-8.

We Have a Baby by Falwell is a very simple but beautiful picture book depicting a baby arriving home and all the routines that go along with having a new baby in the house.  This book would work especially well with very littles ones 18 months-4 years.

I’m a Big Brother and I’m a Big Sister by Cole are identical books except for the gender differences.  Written in first person, the text makes it easy for older siblings to connect with what it’s like to have a new baby in the house.  Age recommendation would be 3-8 years old.

There’s Going to Be a Baby by Burningham looks at all the questions a little one might have about a new little one.  The boy in the story thinks about what it might be like to have a baby.  He contemplates whether or not he may or may not like having the new addition to his family.  This one would work well for ages 2-8.

Have you read a book to an older sibling that isn’t on the list?  Please leave a comment and share the title and what you thought about the book.

Now, to the GIVEAWAY!  One lucky Growing Book by Book reader will recieve 5 board books that would be perfect for that new little one in your life or to give as a baby shower present.  It’s simple to enter.  Please see the guidelines below.

Giveaway Guidelines

You have multiple chances to win a collection of five board books hand-picked by Growing Book by Book.  Titles include- Little Blue Truck,  The Going to Bed Book, Dr. Seuss ABC, The Belly Button Book and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

1.  Leave a comment on this post.

2.  Like Growing Book by Book on Facebook.  Simply use the button in the right hand tool bar THEN, leave another comment saying that you liked Growing Book by Book on Facebook.

3.  Become an email follower.  You can find a spot in the right hand tool bar to fill out your email address to become a follower.  Make sure to leave a comment that you became a follower.

4.  Become a Pinterest follower.  Click the Pinterest button on the right and then click on follow once you get to Pinterest.  Be sure to leave a comment on this post telling me you became a Pinterest follower.

There you go!  Four ways to win!  Entries will be accepted until 9/10/12 at 9:00pm (CST).  The lucky giveaway winner will be randomly selected the week of 9/10/12 and announced on this site.  I will contact the winner via email.   I can ship to USA addresses only.   Good luck!

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About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

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  10. Sue Lewis says

    We have enjoyed many of the activities on your site, but beware reading this kind of “get ready for new baby” books. Little ones may not be discerning. My dear neighbor read books like these to her daughter and found that instead of “big sister” welcoming the new baby as the books did, she repeated all the sour attitudes the book put on the “big sister” in the story. She repeated the grumbling as it was scripted in the book.
    Sometimes books that desire to teach a lesson display the bad attitude so well the young child can catch that and miss that there is a better way to live.
    I have found mine, I have eight, can come up with enough sour attitudes on their own w/o my reading a script to them. My plan has been to be enthusiastic and script loving comments for my children. Our children can and will tend to follow our example. As we talk about the joy of a new sibling, including them in preparations gives them a sense of anticipation.
    Sorry this is so long, I just want to encourage moms in being discerning about what examples we put before our little ones.
    Thank you so much for your great example to teach your children the fun of learning. We have loved the Bible memory cards you did over a year ago . They were a great help with my little two!
    May God bless you!

    Reply

    • Jodie says

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really tried to select books that focused on the excitement and positive feelings associated with having a new baby arrive in the house. I think that anytime you are using a book to help a child cope with new feelings, it’s very important to have open communication before, during and after reading. Many times children find it helpful to identify with a character in a book who is feeling the same way they are. I so agree that allowing siblings to prepare for the new bundle of joy is extremely important. Thank you again for taking the time to share with the Growing Book by Book readers.

      Reply

  22. Krista says

    Those are great books!

    Any suggestions for a “big brother” book my son while we wait for a sibling via adoption?

    Reply

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