Preparing 2 year old for twins?

Does anyone have suggestions on how to explain the babies to my 2 year old son?

 

My sister told her 2 year old that Aunt Elizabeth has 2 babies inside her tummy… and my niece points to my boobs and says “babies… “ and I point to my belly and say “no the babies are inside here…” but that’s all I got for you, I’m sure a TON of moms on here will have GREAT advice…

 

HA! What a funny story!

If your son enjoys book and cartoons, there are a lot that feature twins. DD likes Big Sister Dora (she gets b/g siblings) as well as general books on becoming a big brother/sister. Even if the story is about one baby, it will help in preparing him for some of the changes.

 

my 4 yr old knows but my 2.5 yr old is oblivious; i think i will get that dora book-we watched the leapfrog Tad Christmas DVD about Tad getting 2 babies but he hasnt clued in to that at all.

 

Both of my sons know. It took longer for my 2 year old to start to understand, but now he talks about it and how the babies are going to come live with us. I think it's becoming a little more real to him since we've been getting stuff ready, washing up baby clothes, getting bouncy seats, showing him where the babies will sleep, etc. It's hard for me to grasp sometimes that two babies are coming home to live with us, so I can only imagine how hard it is for a 2 year old to take it in. I think the most important thing is to shower the older kids with love and attention now and after the babies come!

 

LOL, you may have to get a doll and then show him with the doll what you do with babies. Wrap them up, feed them, snuggle with them, rock them, sing to them, all kinds of fun things! Then tell him there are two in your tummy and you will have two to do this with after (whatever special time is closest to due date- ex, Easter, so and so's birthday, whatever)

 

No real help except to talk about it in terms he can understand. When DH and I started TTC, I made sure my son knew that we were hoping to have a baby soon. He asked me one day (he was still about 3, almost 4 at the time I think) why I wanted another baby... as if having him wasn't enough. I told him that I never had any brothers and sisters and even though he has a sister (half-sister) they are really far apart in age (11 years) and I hope that he can have another sibling closer in age to have more fun with and be friends with she he is older. Now when he knew we were going to have a baby, he was generally upset, moody - I guess depressed if a 4 year old can be. I've constantly reassured him that he will always have my love and he is always special to me because he is my first. The funny thing is, the only thing that got him to be happy about it is that I told him when the babies get here, he can pick out something for each of them (a stuffed animal, a blanket, etc) and bring it to them in the hospital the day (or day after) the babies are born. Yes, something material made him more excited as opposed to my heartfelt explanations! I think for a two years old, just relating to them in terms they understand and get excited about is the way to go. It's tricky either way, but at least it is easier for a two year old to adjust to the idea as opposed to an older child - I assume, at least.

 

As your belly gets bigger just talk to him about the babies. Explain there are two. let him feel your belly when they move around if he wants to. My dd was only 20 months when my twins were born and she knew their names and knew their were two from very early on. We got her a set of b/g twin baby dolls to take care of after they were born. I think you can find g/g twins too...not sure about b/b twins though. I think it's actually an easier adjustment at that age than when they are older. they have short memories and after a few months he won't remember life before the twins.

 

QUOTE(SoBlessed @ Dec 28 2007, 03:29 PM) [snapback]549079[/snapback]
It's hard for me to grasp sometimes that two babies are coming home to live with us, so I can only imagine how hard it is for a 2 year old to take it in.


I second that!

With my son, we've been telling him that Momma has two babies in her belly. He repeats it and has touched my belly, but I'm not sure he really gets it. I encourage him to give people news when they ask, like at Christmas I had him tell everybody "Brothers!" when someone asked what the sexes are. And I tell him things here and there, like the outgrown clothes that I packed away today are being saved for his brothers or that he'll get to show his brothers how much he likes to play with trains.

 

My son was 2 in October. We tried to prepare him, but it didn't do much good. Our most difficult part is he loves to fling the swings, and sit in the swings and bouncies. I think if I had to do it over again- I would get that stuff out sooner- get a doll or something and start putting it in there and telling him it was for babies a long time. He loves to find their pacifiers and put them in his mouth.
Just keep trying to explain it to your 2 year old- and let them learn the names, otherwise I don't think a "typical" two year old understands too much that way- if you have a friend with a baby, it may be good to expose your child to that baby too and try to explain you will have 2 of them!
Also let your 2 year old help with what ever you can when they do get here- I think it helps a bit with the jealousy- my son loves to help, loves to hold them, and give kisses!

 

I love looking at everyone's new baby pictures and so does my 2 year old. We sit on the couch together (all the girls) and look at all the babies. I think my little one thinks everyone has two babies all the time. haha