10.16.07

No matter how many long years, or little years, you have between the births of your children, you can never imagine what must go on inside their little minds when they become a big brother or big sister for the first time!  It is truly an enormous adjustment for them.

When I was having my son, and my daughter was only 18 months, I did everything I could to prepare her for his arrival. We let her pick out his new clothes, toys, and the paint color for his new room. My husband and I bought books that helped explain what it meant to be a "big sister" and how important her role would be. Thankfully we all adjusted very well.  And now, I am expecting my third baby, and of course, I am worried about how my daughter and son will react to the new baby's arrival.  In particular, I am concerned about how my son will feel, which is why I am preparing him every day for when our new little family member arrives.  Our preparation has taken shape in the most ingenious and helpful form…the special keepsake book, Look who's going to be a Big Brother, created by Renee Raab Whitecombe.

This keepsake book has been the most helpful discovery for us and most importantly seems to be the most effective! The book focuses specifically on my son and his journey to bring his baby brother or sister home.  It addresses many of the questions and concerns he may experience, ahead of time, like what will happen when mommy and daddy leave to go have the baby, and who will be taking care of him and his sister. It also addresses his "duties" as the "big brother" and how things may change when the baby comes.  My husband, daughter, and I have had so much fun designing the book with him.  And because of its ease of use (such as the simple fill-in-the-blank format), he has been able to do a lot of the work himself…like a "big" boy!

Like many moms out there, including myself, Renee Raab Whitcombe struggled to prepare her daughter for the impending arrival of her second child.  She never felt that her daughter could relate to any of the books she bought, since they weren't about HER.  It wasn't until after the birth of her second child that she realized "big brothers" and "big sisters" would be better prepared if the preparation is about THEM.  It was then, in the hospital, that she created the wonderful and thoughtful keepsake books, Look who's going to be a Big Brother and Look who's going to be a Big Sister. 

In addition to the keepsake books, Renee also created, Look who's moving to a New Home and new sibling announcement cards.  So if you are one of the many parents stressing over how your first child will accept your second…or third…or fourth, these keepsake books are not only beautifully made, but also an amazing idea to help you and your child go through life's changes together.