When a new member of the family is coming, the next challenging part for parents is how to allow the toddler to share the room with the baby sibling. The article will help the parent learn the toddler and baby sharing room tips to create a nurturing home environment.
When your home doesn’t have a three-bedroom, sharing a bedroom among siblings is a must. However, it can be frightening to the toddler. The underlying issue that stopping the toddlers from sharing the room with a baby sibling is the rivalry. Once the younger one starts to crawl and getting the older one’s stuff, which will be stressful on the part of the toddler.
Moreover, the toddler will also be facing the anxiety of sharing parents, space, treasured objects, and time. Soon, these kinds of worry will create conflict and result in a challenging attitude to your toddler.
Parents must prepare their mindset toward this changing environment.
Understand to nurture a sharing environment
Before we go deeper in learning the toddler and baby sharing room tips, lets kick-off some mind setting knowledge.
While your toddler must learn how to share, it is also essential to understand that your kid must have some toys and doesn’t let her brother use it. Do not be overreacting if your toddler is showing a possessive attitude towards her favorite toys. The action is a coping mechanism among toddlers to distress their feelings and situation.
As a parent, open your mind and always give space to understand your toddler. Help your kid choose the toys she wants to keep and play with her own. Sometimes, it is even good to keep some of your toddler’s toys in separate boxes, especially those that are too small that can pose the risk of choking.
Always expect that conflict can arise and your toddler can quickly get upset. When she gets angry, be patient and try to get into the process. You may ask your kid about the reason for getting upset. Allow calmness and trust to take over the situation. Help your toddler to empathize and explain thoroughly that your baby sibling is wanting to explore and want to play with you. He is starting to get interested in what you are doing, but it is not easy for your baby sibling to express yet in his stage. Help your child understand and get the feel of her baby sibling. The process is helpful to find solutions and your toddler to value her sibling.
Establish a long-term strategy and plan. Create an enabling environment for you to brainstorm with your toddler to find ways that can work out. The involvement of your toddler in solving the problems, the more likely she wanted to carry out the solution. Help her think of ways and words to express feelings. Grab the teachable moment as an opportunity for your child to learn to solve the challenges.
Recognize that “NOT sharing” is also important
While it is essential to learn and play together to build a healthy relationship, it is also equally crucial that older children not to always play with the younger ones. They both need to have their own time for themselves. It is part of their childhood development that they play by themselves and not to think about the other sibling.
Be creative and innovative that both can have a different interest while doing something together. You can give your baby a maraca to shake while your toddler plays a piano or xylophone. They do not need to share in one toy, but they can harmoniously play without sharing something. In the long-term, your toddler will develop a view of her sibling as a unique buddy instead of a nuisance and spoiler. They will develop a lifelong friendship.
Toddler and baby sharing room tips to consider for parents
For children, the bedroom is equally important as the whole house. But not all homes are blessed with several rooms for every child to feel the individual comfort. In most homes, sharing a bedroom is not a choice but a necessity. Indeed, an opportunity to create a bonding space for siblings and learn the lesson of cooperation and team building.
Preparing them to cohabit in one space is not as easy as we think. Conflict can likely happen when the right process is not a top consideration for parents.
Consider the following tips to help you and your toddler and baby sharing the room:
- Each of your children is unique and have different bedtime needs
It doesn’t mean that the baby and the toddler will have the sharing of bedtime because they are sharing one room. Creating a particular night activity to allow your child to feel comfortable sleep. You can put first the baby into sleep before getting the older kid to his pajamas and read books until he gets to sleep.
- Be patient and set transitions
Your first child has to accept and learn the job of becoming an elder sib and a roommate. You have to prepare your toddler while the new baby has still to be in your room for at least six months. Start to engage the older kid with conversations that will lead to becoming an elder sibling and establishing trust and accountability.
Part of the conversation is you must let the toddler understand that there are times that the baby will need to wake up and cry during the night. But assure the older child that mommy and Daddy will immediately come to feed or change the diaper. Expect that knowing this can make your toddler worry, but at some point, doing the consistent process will allow her to adapt and become part of responding to the needs of the baby sibling.
- Ground rules are important
It may be worrying and putting your toddler in limitation, but it is essential to set some ground rules. Set the limits of staying up late, giggling and talking must be a rule. The long-term effect on this is that your toddler will learn how to show respect to others. In a way, the toddler will soon become a model for the baby sibling to follow.
- Prepare for unexpected events
When the baby gets sick, he cries aloud and can probably disturb the sleep of the older kid. If these events happen, prepare to temporarily separate the baby from the room and have her sleep beside you. In this way, the older child can somehow miss the presence of his sibling.
Read Also:
- Toddler And Baby Sharing Room Tips
- Having a Second Baby With a Toddler
- Teaching Your Kids How To Share Things Is Important
