Gifts from the Baby to Sibling

We always spent time in the evening before bed talking to the baby in my belly. I told my 4 yo that the baby could hear us. I went up and down the toy aisles one day, and per usual, my 4 yo was like, I want that, I want this, I need that, etc. So, my husband picked this really cool sparkly horse. We wrapped that and had my daughter open it at home when the baby went to sleep the first time. We reminded her that the baby "heard" her request for that toy. She was like, "she really could hear me!!! My lil sister is sooo cool!!!"

My son was 2 when our daughter was born and I had a wrapped gift from the baby that my son had been wanting. I told him that the baby must have heard him talking about wanting this toy because when I went to get a gift the baby had kicked each time we walked by it. I can still remember the gift that my little sister had "picked out" for me when she was born (I was 8). My parents had told me a similar story and I bought it :o) I don't think it is so much what the gift is, but rather how you unveil it!

We have done the gift to a sibling from the baby twice. Each time, we did give the older child 'just another thing'. But it is important to remember, that done right, its not just another thing to the child. My seven year old just a few months ago said to me, "Mom, how did S____ know what would be my favorite video game? She did a really good job picking it out."

In other words, he was taken with her knowledge and generosity even though I thought it was just another video game.

So I think the question is, "What interests your four year old?" What will show your four year old how much your family knows and understands what he likes?

There will be plenty of other times to create and purchase keepstakes but right now is the time to start building that bond between siblings.

My daugter was 2 1/2 when our new baby came. There was an Eric Carle book that my two year old loved getting from the library, so that's what the "baby" got her.

When she came to visit me and the baby (also a girl) in the hospital for the first time we had the book giftwrapped and waiting for her. Inside I wrote a note from the baby telling her how excited she was to have a big sister and how much she already loved her. It was adorable! I still tear up when I think about reading that note to my daughter from her new sister. :)

My second is due in the next couple weeks and my first just turned four. He is starting preschool on Monday, so he has really been into things that make him feel like a big boy. So we are going to get him something that he has really been wanting that he swears is the last thing and then he will be "bigger enough for anything"... a watch that lights up. : ) I had gone back and fourth with options of things to get him but it just seemed like the best idea to give him something that he Really wants from his new sister.
My MIL also got him a cabbage patch doll that came with a diaper and bottle so we can practice being nice to a little baby, considering he is a rough and tumble little man and sometimes needs to be reminded how to be gentle.
Congratulations on your new addition.

My son will be almost 3.5 when my new baby comes in a couple of months. The baby is giving him a v-tech laptop, mostly to keep him entertained while I am nursing. The laptop comes loaded with about 40 different learning activities and does not have extra discs/cartridges that you can buy the way leappads and stuff do. It only cost around $35, I think.

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao

There are several great "I'm getting a new baby sister" type books out there. Something like that would be great AND something for them to share together repeatedly as the new child grows up.

Franklin the Turtle has a story and a DVD that includes this one. Franklin the Turtle just has LOTS of good life experiences and lessons in them. Something like this would be great as a big brother, since he's supposed to help set the example and "help teach" by giving him stories that also teach.

My son was 2 when his sister arrived. She gave him a magnetic drawing board. Not sentimental, I know, but it helped that he had something to play with while visiting us at the hospital. If you ask him now who gave it to him, he knows it was her. Since he is 4, you may want to go for something functional, he probably won't "get" the extra meaning right now.

My son turned two on the day his brother came home from the hospital. Waiting in the yard from the baby was a new slide. He'd been wanting a slide for a while which is why we chose that gift. Then we did cupcakes and sang happy birthday to him (he'd had a party a couple of weeks before).

I think having cupcakes or something for your older son as a celebration for him being an older brother would be a lot of fun! You could even light candles and sing a happy older brother day song to the tune of happy birthday to him.

what a neat idea, I'm due in early december and while I have no ideas, i sure hope someone does, we are so focused on the baby coming, even the 3 big kids, that it will be nice if once he does arrive they get a special treat.

Let your son choose.... let him own it.
My daughter, was about 4 as well, when I had my 2nd child... she was so excited. I let her choose, something for her little baby brother. Which was a stuffed animal from Gymboree.
She, to this day, talks about how SHE chose that for her brother... and my son, really thinks it is special.... we also took a photo of her and her brother WITH the stuffed animal... for sentimental reasons and for their scrapbook.
It is cherished.

Oh SORRY! I misread your post... I had thought it was for ideas for a gift from your son to the baby.....
in that case... if you go to www.kodakgallery.com you can get him a pillow case... with a photo on it of you (your pregnant tummy) AND him... and give it to him.
I think that would be adorable. And he can sleep with it.... and it will always be special....
When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, my daughter LOVED taking pictures WITH me/my pregnant tummy (because it was her brother)... and it was a very special thing for her.... with lots of special memories....
The Kodak Gallery has a lot of real great photo gifts and ideas.
I have ordered from there before and have always liked it.

all the best,
Susan