new baby coming - problems with first child HELP!

[jinglediddle]

I am a childminder, and i currently look after a little girl 7 yrs old who's mom is due her baby in 2 months time.
The 7 yr old is suddenly very naughty, and being very horrible to her mom, writing letters saying she hates her etc. what advice can you give. what can i do or say to the 7 yr old to help her through this confusing time for her?

hmmm I would say QUICK down the library to get LOADS of books out on new babies, jealousy, I think there's a gap in the market though as most of them are for toddlers, but you could use them as a basis for conversation.Does she still play with dolls/playmobil or anything, you could "play" out the situation with her. Also, better out than in, she probably does feel like she hates her mum sometimes.hth.

thanks thats a great help, have already started to role play with the baby dolls, i knows its a lot for a little one to get her head around, but i'm sure when baby comes and it all settles down she'll feel better about it all.

My sister 'drowned' all her dolls in the loo the day I was born (and thats before she'd met me ) and she was six. I've heard 6 or 7 can be a rough time for kids to cope with new babies - they are about to go through major developmental milestones, so I guess thats why?? Agree with role play and 'better out than in'!

Can you use role play help her to feel very important about becoming a big sister? That's what my mother did with me - convinced me that this was MY baby sister. I got all possessive about the baby, kind of avoided the jealousy.