A 30-year-old multiparous woman has a boy who 2½ is years old and has recently delivered an infant girl.She tells the nurse,"I don't know how I'll ever manage both children when I get home." Which suggestion would assist this new mother in alleviating sibling rivalry?
A) Tell the older child that he is a big boy now and should love his new sister.
B) Let the older child stay with his grandparents for the first 6 weeks to allow him to adjust to the newborn.
C) Ask friends and relatives not to bring gifts to the older sibling because you do not want to spoil him.
D) Realize that the regression in habits and behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction and that he needs extra love and attention at this time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The older child may regress in habits or behaviors (e.g.,toileting,sleep habits)as a method of seeking attention.Parents need to distribute their attention in an equitable manner.Telling the older child that he should love his new sister is a negative approach to facilitating sibling acceptance of the new infant.Reactions of siblings may result from temporary separation from the mother.Removing the older child from the home when the new infant arrives may enhance negative behaviors from the older child caused by a separation from the mother.Providing small gifts from the infant to the older child is a strategy for facilitating sibling acceptance of the new infant.

A 30-Year-Old Multiparous Woman Has a Boy Who 2½ Is