DD emotional about new half sibling.

[TigerBreadFan]

Hi all,
Not sure if I’m overthinking this but would appreciate some perspective.
DD (7) has just come back from her dad’s and is really upset. He and his new(ish) girlfriend recently had a baby, and DD met her baby brother for the first time this weekend. She said it made her feel “bad in her belly” seeing her dad with the baby.
She’s normally fine going to her dad’s, but tonight she’s been tearful and clingy, saying she felt left out and “like Daddy doesn’t need me now he’s got the baby.” I’ve reassured her lots and told her Daddy will always love her, but I can tell it’s really knocked her.
Has anyone been through similar? How can I help her process this without making things worse or saying the wrong thing?

Whilst you can reassure her, the real reassurance needs to come from her dad, in his words and actions.

Is your relationship with him one where you can let him know how your daughter is feeling?

Also this is a totally normal reaction even within a family that's together under the same house with both parents there to reassure. So it's expected that it would be even more pronounced when the baby is with him all the time and she isn't. She's feeling very threatened.

Bless her, it's good that she can express herself so well and shared with you how she's feeling. I can imagine that the new baby's arrival, especially as he is with dad all the time, is making her feel pushed out and anxious. Can you have a quiet word with Dad and tell him what she's said? He needs to make an extra effort to spend time with her and lots of extra cuddles and reassurance. I'm sure you've already told her that Daddy loves her as much as ever and that will never change. Also, remind her that her baby brother is going to love her so much! Give her lots of extra love and support, it's a tricky time for her but she will come through it 💐

Did she know they were having a baby ?

Reassure her that it’s ok to feel strange and it’s a bit shock to see her dad caring for someone else as she’s used to having him all to herself. Tell her even though it feels sad she doesn’t have as much attention from dad now, this won’t be for ever only when baby is v tiny and also that this little baby is going to love your daughter so so so much , will think she is so cool and want to be just like her, your daughter will be baby’s hero probably even other it’s own parents.
don’t make any promises on your exes behalf as we do t know if he’ll handle thing well

As the first poster said, this needs to come from her father.

She'll need a lot of support and attention in the next few months.