What do you do with your older child to make them feel special/different to their sibling?

[ilovespinach]

I've just had a lightbulb moment that maybe ds1 5.7 acts younger then he is (screaming like a toddler when something doesn't go his way) because he is treated very much the same as his younger brother 3.10 eg with same bedtime.

I was just after some ideas of what things I can do with him to build up his self esteem and make him understand that he is older.

I tried this evening and he helped me make the tea (an omelette) which he loved.

Thanks :)

I try and take my eldest (almost 5) out on day trips to London, it's quite civilised with just one child. He also gets to go out for lunch with me, usually wagamama's.

His little sister is just 3 and does tend to cause chaos and make any outings extra hard work.

I shout in a different tone.

Now I've thoughty about it I can't think of anything else I do. DS is great at going to bed so letting him stay up late would be pointless and DD would raise hell if he obviously had any treats / privilages (sp??) when she's around.

I get him to help with chores too, he thinks it's terribly grown up.

Thanks....we are trying to split them up at the weekends a bit - I might take ds1 to the cinema to see Tintin if he would like to this week. He also asked to help me cook everynight :)

Ds1 has swimming lessons and has joined Beavers which ds2 doesn't/can't do. He also gets pocket money, has a pair of trainers for weekends (ds2 just has the 1 pair of shoes) and generally has a more active social life (as befits a 6 year old rather than a nearly 4 year old).

Older DD and me escape for sushi or someother grown up food stud that might contain fish or salad. DD2 may be 10, but she is still a total pain about food.
DD1 and I like to go shopping and have lunch without having to worry if DD2 will eat anything on
The menu!

Startail, that sounds very familiar! Both my DDs love having mummy time. DD2 has been a pain about food, but is getting better.

Also at the moment DD2 still fits children's clothes and DD1 doesn't, she's 13 an talker than me. So separate shopping trips work very well. Even if DD2 did take me to Burger King

Taller than me, she and I both talk about as much, another thing that drives DD2 nuts.

DS1 stays up later - nearly 6, the odd trip out one his own with either me or DH - and he goes to football club - but my DS2 is nearly 2 so he doesn't notice