Kids and babies
My best friend recently had a little girl, and it was so neat to see my 8-year-old son with her. Normally on the hyper and wild side, he held her so gently and looked at her like he couldn't believe how small she was. Parents of babies: I know you have to protect them from germs, but please consider letting the older kids around you at least take a peek. You will be teaching them about the miracle of life and how far they have come from being so tiny themselves. P.S. This photo is by Richard Mallory Allnutt, who takes wonderful pictures of babies and families. His Web site is www.rmallnutt.com
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Great advice. One idea is to
Great advice. One idea is to have the older child sit on a couch and the mom can still hold the baby's head, if she's worried that the older child won't remember to support it. I think it's good for the "older" child to feel that way -- and realize how much he or she has changed and how responsible he/she can be. I totally understand about moms worrying about germs -- but I think if you let anyone within a few feet of your baby, you're probably risking some germ jumping. Check with your pediatrician to be sure, but I'm guessing he/she will say you're pretty safe unless your baby isn't well.
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com
Teaches responsibility
Whenever my three kids (currently ages 10, 7 and 3) they all want to hold our friends' new babies. I think it's a super way to teach them responsibility in that they have to be careful and quiet and concerned about someone else! With the new mom's permission of course!