Big Brother School!

Dommie and I went to Big Sibling class on Saturday morning at St. John's Mercy. Nick elected not to go. I think his excuse was that he was going to work on the house, but I don't think he actually did anything but sleep. :) But that's ok. Dommie and I had fun.

The class started at 8:30 and we got there about 8:20. When we checked in, Dominick got a name tag and we took our seats. It took people a little longer to get there so the teacher pulled out some bubbles. The kids loved the bubbles. It started off class on the right foot.

After everyone arrived, we gathered into a circle to read a book about babies. I think Dominick must have been the youngest person in the class. The class was for 3 and under but I think there were a lot more 3 year olds than younger. The teacher was asking about the things the different toddlers can do, and a lot of the kids could do more than Dom...And I think Dom's gifted! :) But a lot of kids were potty trained and sleeping in big kid beds and dressing themselves. Dom can't do a lot of those things, but we're getting there!

The teacher read the book and Dommie LOVED it. He kept trying to get right in front and hold the book. I had to pull him back a few times. He did NOT love that. After the book, the teacher pulled out a baby car seat with a baby doll and all the kids took turns holding the baby doll. Dom LOVED this part too. He wanted to hold the baby the whole time. He actually had practice the day before holding his new cousin, Addie. :)

After holding the baby, the class took a tour and we visited the nursery. There were a lot of babies in there and Dom was very excited to see all the babies. After the nursery we went to the family kitchen, where the Dad's can take the tots to get snacks and drinks. After those two hot spots, we headed back to the classroom to have a snack.

The kids got crayons and a blank picture of a baby to color, showing what their new baby brother/sister would look like. Dom drew a bunch of red lines all over our baby. :) Then the kids got snacks while we discussed good tips for introducing a newborn to the toddler.

I can't remember all of the tips but here are a few that I can remember:

• Pull out the baby toys, baby gear about 4-6 weeks before your anticipated delivery date (we're a little late on this!) so that it's not new and exciting stuff but old news by the time the baby comes and needs that stuff.
  
• Have Dad bring the toddler up to the hospital to see the baby for the first time, not a grandparent or aunt/uncle. When the toddler is introduced to the baby make sure the baby is in the bassinet next to Mom or in the nursery. You don't want the toddler to think that the baby "took" Mom.
  
• When it's time to go home, have Dad bring the toddler up to the hospital to get Mom together. The baby should be brought home as a family, not like the baby is invading the house.
• Have a special bucket of toys that is new to the toddler that they only get when Mom or Dad is 100% occupied with the baby. So if Mom has to nurse or something and the toddler decides they need something, they can pull out a new toy from the new bucket. That way they get something new and exciting and don't dwell on the fact that Mom and Dad are busy with the new baby.
  
• Have the toddler help with as many things as possible. Ask them to bring you clean diapers or wipes. If the baby drops a binky and the toddler is close, ask them to pick it up to help Mom and the baby. Make the toddler think that they are the big helper to Mom and baby instead of the baby is taking everything over. The baby NEEDS the toddler.
  

I know there are more, but those are all I can think of right now. And I think they are all good tips! We'll definitely use some of them.

After the kiddos colored and had their snack, they each got a certificate and a bucket to take home. Dom loved his bucket and it's sitting proudly in his big boy room.

The class ended at 9:15 and Dom and I both had a good time. I think it was definitely worth the $15.00 admission. :) And now Dom is 'ready' to be a big brother (he has a certificate and everything).