So Ive been told I should get my 2 kids gifts from the new baby.. Im ashamed to admit I didnt do that when mydaughter was born 5 yrs ago.. Anyways, my daughter really isnt all that "thrilled" about having a new baby.. I thinks shes afraid of losing the "princess status"she has acquired the last 5 yrs LOL... Anyways.. I want to get both my kids something from the baby, but dont know what. My daughter is 5 and my son is almost 10.. I dont want to spend alot of money as my daughter just had a birthday party 3 weeks ago, and my son is having his 10th birthday party this Saturday..So what do I get?
Any suggestions for things that dont cost alot fo money?

By Conni on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 09:05 am:

I did this when my 3rd baby was born. My Mom brought my older boys up to see the new brother and in the hospital room waiting for them were 2 very large gift bags that read : To: Brandon From: Blake / To: Bradley From: Blake. In the bag were some things each child had been wanting or things I new each would enjoy. New book, pad of paper with cool pens, hot wheels car, and handheld game were in one bag. Similar items in the other bag.

Hope this helps! I can tell you that they *really* thought it was cool that their new brother came with gifts for THEM!! It also gave them something to do while at the hospital visiting.

They also had taken the sibling class before the birth. In that class they colored pic's. When they arrived to visit me and baby, the nurse had hung their pics up on my door for all to see! They thought that was really cool too.

Good luck! I know you are getting so excited!

By Kaye on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 09:36 am:

I didn't do it with my second child also, but did do it with my first. Let me start by saying it is your choice, it isn't common protocol or socially correct. I chose to do it because my middle kid was really struggling with the idea of a new baby. So for me it was a huge kiss up factor. If you chose to do gifts, just make it something you know they like and something that will fill some time, because you will need time. I bought LEGOS for my 2 year old at the time, he loved them and didn't have many. Those little kits were just perfect for him. I bought my daughter age 4, some books, she loved reading and could read to the baby. Good luck and I can't believe we are finally here..LOL. I have prayed so much for you I feel personally involved

By Happynerdmom on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 09:56 am:

I've never even heard of doing it...I guess I'm old school!(Or just old...LOL)

By Bea on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 11:47 am:

I guess I'm old school too. I always thought that the new baby was the gift.

By Jackie on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 11:50 am:

Well Like I said, Ive never thought of doing this before.. But,it seems now a days, people have brought this to my attention on something that is common..
I guess my daughter really doesnt think as the new baby as a gift, she is just spoiled rotten

By Amyl on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 01:09 pm:

When my youngest DD was born I bought the oldest DD a pendent that said "Big Sis" on it. This was from the new little sister and she loved it!!

By Emily7 on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 01:13 pm:

Do Big brother or sister t-shirts.

By Sunny on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 01:34 pm:

DH bought the "I am a Big Brother" shirts for our kids after the third, fourth and fifth babies. It was his idea, as I never even thought about it - I was too busy.

By Colette on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 02:00 pm:

I did it when my youngest was born for my 2 older kids. I told them I brought the baby to the gift shop and she pointed at things for them. I didn't go overboard, but I bought them things that I knew they would love AND that would keep them entertained in case I was exhausted.

By Truestori on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 03:02 pm:

Jackie,

I did the opposite actually. My daughter was like yours, really unsure of her future before the baby was here..LOL

I tried to make the baby feel special to her. I knew that she was very into art and making things so I bought a tie dye kit, and we made the baby some socks and a candle. She loved the fact that she had something to give to him when he was born.
I do remember friends and family bringing gifts for the new baby and my daughter though!

By Tunnia on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 03:32 pm:

My dd turned 4 two days before my ds was born. I bought her a "Big Sister" shirt before the baby was born and told her that she could wear it to the hospital after her new brother or sister was born. Then I took her shopping and let her pick out a 'birthday present" for the new baby and I even let her wrap it. She really loved doing that! Then I bought an inexpensive little necklace that said "Big Sister" and wrapped it for her new baby brother or sister to 'give' to her as a late birthday present. She was so proud of that necklace and she even forgave her new baby brother for not being a sister!

By Andi on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 04:55 pm:

We got Dylan a Hasbro Race Track from Taylor. I bought it about 4 months before she was due because I got it on sale but I kept it hidden in the garage until the day we brought Taylor home. He was so excited to get a gift from her and he told everyone about it and who it was from. I think it really helped break in the fact that she was coming home and not going anywhere.

By Coopaveryben on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 05:52 pm:

Mine got a Camera, he took pictures of the new baby at the hospital and everyone else. I also made them "Big Brother" shirts.

I also had my son pick out gifts for the baby from him, that made him feel really good.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 11:36 pm:

My sister bought my niece a real life baby with a diaper bag and little stuff in it she could use on her very own baby from her new baby brother.

I think you know your children best. If you think it will help then I say, whatever works. LOL My girls are big on the bags chalked full of stuff. Got an All for a dollar store near by? Buy crayons, coloring books, whatever they would enjoy and fill up a gift bag.. Throw in a couple of candy bars... And you will probably have some happy campers.

By Melanie on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 - 12:31 am:

We did the little present thing when ds #2 was born (ds #1 was 20 months) and when dd was born (5 year old and 3.5 year old boys). But what the boys remember best about when their sister was born was what dad did. She was born at 11:30 at night. The next day, my mom brought the boys to the hospital to meet their sister. Then dh took them out and spent the day with them. He took them to McD's for lunch and did a couple of fun things, just him and his boys. Meanwhile I was at the hospital with the visitors and the baby. They didn't feel overshadowed by the baby since they were getting special time with dad. So you don't necessarily have to spend money on a present to make them feel included. You can come up with another creative solution that works for them.