What should you do if your 3-year-old twins are afraid of your 5-month-old baby and you've tried gifts from the baby but they will have nothing to do with the baby?

Answer 1

Have explained to them what the baby is or have tried to explain to them that they used to be babies too and show them their pictures and the babies pictures and to explain to them that the baby will one day grow up just like they did and then get the one that's less afraid or at least to touch the baby twins always follow suit if one tries the other one will too. Don't worry so much. They'll get over it when you give them a little responsibility for the baby like helping put the diapers in the bag or going to get the wipes or putting things away for you they will want to help and then you'll see it's just a phase nothing to worry about it's a new baby and all they have for the last three years were each other a newcomer something to get used to my nephew is going through the same thing but he likes the baby he just doesn't like all the crying and everything that goes along with him being a baby The above poster gave you some fine points. I was an only child for 6 years and then along came my brother. I can remember how I felt (that was 59 years ago!). I was jealous! Here was this crib with this tiny squirming "thing" in it making all this racket and I couldn't understand why my parents were all smiles as were my grandparents and friends. Often when a second baby comes into the house the first child is left out in the cold. You are certainly trying, but it takes time and as the other poster suggested get the twins involved in changing diapers, perhaps bottle feeding (if you are) and taking turns to help you push the baby's buggy. The twins have had an "in" with the immediate family and it's hard to share that with a new baby. My sister-in-law had her first son and 3 years later had her second son. Since she was suffering from postpartum blues with the second baby she was staying at my mother's house. I was over there to help out and the baby was in a bassinet on the floor. I just happened to peer over when I saw my 3 year old nephew try to stomp on the baby with one foot. Luckily I was able to grab my 3 year old nephew in time. Of course we didn't give him heck, but we told him it wasn't a nice thing to do and we made a big deal of telling him that he was THE OLDER BROTHER and that his little brother really needed his help. At that point my poor sister-in-law burst into tears and said, "He hates his own brother!" Of course this wasn't true and as soon as my sister-in-law was feeling better she got her 3 year old son involved in feeding, changing and playing with his new brother and all was well. In fact, one nephew is 22 and the other just turned 20 and at work they are called "The twins" because they are best buddies and look very similar. It would be a good idea to have your mother, mother-in-law or trusted friend look after the baby once in awhile and have some fun and quality time with just the twins. This way they have something to look forward too and little ones are smart enough to realize not much has changed after all. Ask family members to go to the twins first and make a big fuss, then the baby. I always do that. It seems to settle things down. Good luck