From the author: How to avoid childhood jealousy or help an older child cope with it if it does arise? The birth of a second baby is a great joy for parents. The emergence of a new member inevitably leads to changes in the way of life. The daily routine changes, parents have new worries, and there is less free time. If the parents were ready for this, then the first-born child finds himself at a loss: the way of life has changed; mother's participation became less; and the interesting game is interrupted because the baby began to cry and the mother went to him; they stop him from making noise; requests are not fulfilled instantly. Plus, all the adults are endlessly touched by the baby, and constantly ask if he loves the newborn. But actually, why would he love a small stranger? Gifts are given to the baby, but he is forbidden to touch them. It’s no wonder that the elder begins to feel deprived of love and attention. And he sees the reason in a newborn family member. Childhood jealousy appears, which indicates that the baby lacks the participation of his mother or other adults, he has difficulty adapting to changes. How to avoid childhood jealousy or help an older child cope with it if it does arise? Don’t hope that how As soon as the baby is born, the eldest will love him, and everything will go as usual. You also need time to love another person, right? It is important to prepare your first-born for the arrival of a sibling; the older the child, the earlier you start preparing. The baby must get used to the idea that soon he will not be the only one. Tell them that babies are born helpless, they cry a lot, and cannot walk or talk. Answer questions. Take the older one shopping for the baby. Tell us for whom and for what needs you are buying a stroller, crib, etc. The task of this period is to prepare the child for the arrival of a new family member. After the birth of the baby, try to maintain the usual rituals in the life of the older child: reading a fairy tale before bed or Sunday trips to the park. Every family has its own rituals. It’s wonderful if a newborn is harmoniously integrated into existing life. And not the whole family begins to live according to the baby’s schedule. Set aside time during the day that will belong exclusively to you and the older child. 30 minutes is enough. You can play with your child, read, talk. This is his time, it should be spent interestingly. Choose a time when the baby is sleeping or when someone can replace you and play with him. Include the older child in caring for the baby. Turn it on, don't exploit it! Ask for a diaper or toy. Praise him if he fulfills the request. Please note that you appreciate his help. But if the child resists, then do not insist. Tell your firstborn that when he was a baby, you took care of him in the same way. Look at his little photos together, tell us about his own period of infancy. Often parents, with the appearance of their second child, stop seeing the eldest as a baby. He automatically becomes an adult. Demands on him are increasing, and tolerance is decreasing. More and more often the phrases are popping up: “Why, how little are you!? You’re already big!?” But it is important to remember that the eldest child has not changed anything, he has not matured just because a second child appeared in the family. He is the same kid who needs love, attention, care. Don’t lash out at the older one because you’re tired or because of problems with the younger child. If you did not sleep at night, and in the morning your older child, as usual, asks you to play with him, then explain to him that you are tired and now cannot play with him. Find him something to do to free up his time, ask your husband and relatives to help! Remember, the birth of a second child is stressful for the whole family, and for the first-born in particular. Adaptation of all family members to changes lasts approximately 3 months. And at this time, it is important to help the older child accept a newborn brother or sister. This topic is very extensive, I tried to very briefly outline the essence of the issue. But there are a lot of nuances