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What's normal anxiety about an upcoming sibling?

7 replies

ComeHomeBillyBird · 08/12/2020 22:45

My DS is 6 and his little brother is due any day now. I've had a very difficult pregnancy where I've basically been ill the whole way through.

He seems very anxious and in the past 2 days some things have happened which worries me. He wet himself at school yesterday- he basically NEVER has accidents. He's also been very tearful, and very overreactive. My husband had to take him out of the playground today because someone hit his leg and he sobbed his heart out.

He told my husband he is having problems with a friend (whom he adores but whom to be honest is not very kind to him). So that could be it, but it seems like there's something more as his behaviour is very unlike him. He's quite a sensitive, reflective child, prone to taking things to heart but he's also pretty easy going.

So I'm wondering if there is some anxiety about the baby as well. But I've not actually seen or read anything talk about anxiety in children before the baby is here. Has anyone experienced this?

OP posts:
ComeHomeBillyBird · 08/12/2020 23:12

Anyone?

OP posts:
PocoyoandEllie · 09/12/2020 06:12

My DS is 6 on Friday and I am due next week, he has never been an anxious child but recently is anxious about everything. I actually think it is related to Christmas and being on the good list in part, they have a “santa cam” in the classroom and he said he keeps looking at it so Father Christmas knows he is being good. He is worrying about the end of the world, tornados etc. I don’t know what else to do other than keep reassuring him.

Lotsachocolateplease · 09/12/2020 06:20

Just another take on it but could he be worried about you going into hospital? With COVID it could be he’s associating you having to go to hospital with poorly people.
I would have a chat with him, explain to him clearly what will be happening and reassure him that having a new brother will be exciting and that you will be ok too.
He will just need extra cuddles Smile

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ComeHomeBillyBird · 09/12/2020 07:14

Thank you both - god I hate that Santa Cam, Elf on the Shelf shit! It just makes kids worry. I hope he's ok.

The hospital may be partly it - he's been quite worried about "the virus". I've explained a few times what will happen, but I'll try again.

OP posts:
PocoyoandEllie · 09/12/2020 08:38

I am trying to keep it as normal as possible for my DS, if I go into labour in the middle of the night I am hoping my sister will take me in and leave DH at home with DS so he doesn’t worry in the morning. At the minute I am just hoping to get past his birthday on Friday without going into labour 😅

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 09/12/2020 08:43

My ds was 6 when his dbro arrived. No anxiety worries. .. Could your ds be worried as so far baby dbro is associated with you being poorly?

TrySarahTops · 09/12/2020 09:35

My eldest was only three when I was pregnant with my youngest. But she suffered from anxiety when I was pregnant. If ever you asked her how she felt about the new baby coming, she'd say "scared", and her behaviour was terrible - she would walk up to random children in the street and try to hit them, or push them over. She did so many awful things,

But the day her sister was born, it all melted away, and she returned to the living child she was. Her naughty behaviour disappeared immediately and she adored her sister from day 1.

Good luck, hopefully it'll settle as soon as your baby arrives

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