Newsletter Archive

March 14, 2010

SEARCH drSpock

my account | sign in

November 21, 2001



		Dear Dr. Needlman, My daughter is 4 1/2 years old and an only child. She is a little obsessed with having a sibling. Some of my friends and relatives are pregnant, and that's a big topic of interest and discussion for her. We'd like another child, but it hasn't happened yet. Any suggestions on how to divert my daughter's interest? Should we let it run its course? Dear Jac's Mom, Your daughter's interest in babies in general, and a sibling in particular, seems completely normal to me. She not only sees relatives who are pregnant, but many of her own peers no doubt have siblings. She's also old enough to have questions about babies... See Full Reply

	PAST ISSUES

	Pregnancy
	Baby
	Young Child
	School Age

FEATURED TOPICS

		Why Are Siblings So Important? Sisters and brothers have a special bond. By understanding the importance of the sibling relationship, you can minimize tension and facilitate friendship between your children. more

		Settling Quarrels without Taking Sides There's no getting around it: All siblings squabble. Whether the fights break out over toys or attention, it's up to parents to know how and when to intervene without taking sides. more

		Young Children, Possessions, and Sharing It takes time for young children to learn how to share. Find out how you can encourage this behavior without setting unreasonable expectations. more

There's no question that the sibling relationship is a powerful and influential one. Some brothers and sisters are best friends from the start, serving as each other's greatest defender and supporter. Sadly, others may fall into disheartening patterns of jealousy, rivalry, and fighting. As a parent, it's your job to nurture each child as an individual without favoring one over the other, to play referee in times of sibling arguments, and to encourage friendship between children who may not always see the special bond they share. To help train you for the roles of peacekeeper and fair-minded confidant, look to the accompanying articles for inspiration and support. Plus, don't neglect to post your sibling success stories on the message boards, in addition to pleas for advice from fellow parents.

PARENTS ARE TALKING

	AUTHOR: Lunar SUBJECT: Is he in preschool too long? DATE: November 16, 2001
I have a son who just turned 3 a couple weeks ago and he just started preschool this past Wednesday. When we found out he was definitely going to preschool we talked to him about it all the time, trying to get him excited about it, and he was. We brought him in for his first day and he cried (which I expected) but now... join the discussion

THIS WEEK'S TIP

Want your own drSpock T-shirt? Simply visit Giveaway Central and jot down a quick message telling us what you are most thankful for this holiday season, and you'll be entered for a chance to win one.

We would love to hear from you. Please send comments to info@drspock.com

| |
| | |

THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee, or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full Terms of Service.