So I have probably made a rod for my own back but i just couldnt help myself.

[MamaMaiasaura]

Ds1 (aged 7) came shopping with me and dp to choose teddy for his baby brother due next month. He had already looked in catalouge and chosen mamas & papas monkey.

Got to shop and ds finds monkey, well actually he finds two. One for the baby and the other he keeps talking to and snuggling. He asked (begged) if he could have it and that he loved it sooo much. After a chat with him he did reluctantly put it back and buried it under all the other soft toys so no one else could have him.

He paid for his little brothers monkey (not with his money obviously) and we left the shop. Ds was desperately trying to hold back tear and a few leaked out. We had a cuddle and a chat. He said he wanted to match his baby brother with this and that the monkeys could play together. This is the first and only time he has ever behaved like this over something. He has also been exceptionally wonderful about the new baby and enthusiastic about choosing bedding etc for him. Dp was not impressed at all and felt that the baby should only have the monkey. After abit of time out thinking i spoke to dp who went back to the shop with ds and got ds the monkey he had buried.

I said to ds that this was in a way a present from the baby and the monkey the baby has is a present from ds1. Had a long chat with him and explained that the baby will be getting lots of new things, just like he did as a baby. That is because it is the babys acutal birth day. Ds seems to understand.

He is now asleep with his new monkey and I heard him playing with his new monkey and special teddy. He sounded ever so sweet and I think i did th right thing. I have never known ds be so upset over something, he was really trying to hold back the tears.

Was difficult to know how to handle it and i probably did the wrong thing, but did what i thought was best at the time.

[moondog]

lol at juxtaposition!!

[lemonaidtreasonandplot]

I agree, definitely the right thing. He does sound lovely, too...

[TinyGang]

Oh phew...I was chewing my nails reading your op Awen, worried it was going to be a 'no monkey' situation at the end.

I would definately definately have bought him a monkey too. He sounds a lovely little chap and you are a lovely mummy for being so kind and sensitive to him.

[dd666]

the right thing was definatly done, when we had new baby sister as kids (she 5years younger than me) we was brought t-shirts that said im the big sister and my baby sis had a t-shirt that said im the baby sis think you can get them from mothercare or something personalised from studio cards or somewhere would be nice

[Shitemum]

You did the right thing. I'm trying to imagine what was going through his head and I can just see him imagining himself with his new brother and them both with their special monkeys and then being told he couldn't have the monkey and how that would feel.
I think we forget sometimes that kids are not (always) just being unreasonable but have their own idea of how things will be, their own plan or view and we should stop and just put ourselves in their shoes. Good luck.

[sandcastles]

I think you did the right thing, I was thinking that you could say it was from the baby (before I read that part) and you did...

How wonderful!

[LoveAngel]

You did the right thing! You are a nice mummy

[massivebigpantsface]

what a lovely, soft and mummyish thread! good job awen!

[MamaMaiasaura]

When i went to move him to his bed he said up and said 'pudding?' in his sleep. Was really sweet. This morning he slept in with Pudding and Spencer bear then came into my bed and resisted every attempt to get up. SO sweet watching/listening to him chatter away to them. Then Pudding and spencer had to travel to school with him. He clung to me in the playground and was despereatley trying to convince me to take him home. Tried to transfer photo from mobile of him this morning in my bed all snuggled with them. Will have to wait for my genius dp to do it for me later

Am now wondering wether ds isnt well and should be home or wether he is just needing lots of love and reassurance atm. He clings on to the bump and really pleads me not to go.

[Habbibu]

I suppose there's a lot going on in his little head just now - the new baby is an exciting but bewildering prospect, I imagine. I wouldn't worry, Awen - you've clearly got cracking maternal instincts, and he's a secure little boy.

[MamaMaiasaura]

Have uploaded picture of ds1 with the monkey, taken this morning as he snuggled in my bed and didnt want to get up

He is on top form atm, I said to him how cute he was, he said 'if i was cute the girls would want to kiss me' lol

Also dp were talking about saving money for a rainy day, ds said 'why on earth would you want to go shopping on a rainy day?'

[Katz]

your ds sounds utterly adorable

[MamaMaiasaura]

he is but i am very bias of course. pic

[StressTeddy]

Totally the right thing
He is gorgeous. Monkey looks like he is at "home"
Well done you
Congrats too btw

[MamaMaiasaura]

i think so, he has the loveliest disposition and also a bit michievious. I am very lucky to have him. Love your piccies mildmanneredjanitor.

[sugarfree]

Awen,please can I have a monkey and come and live at your house?
It sounds lovely.

[laurliemonkey]

sweet story, sweet pics, and i want a stitch surfboard

[shrooms]

That's really sweet. I remember being a little kid and sometimes you just had such a fondness over something, and wanted to cuddle it.
If he has a sensitive side and shows compassion over a cute little fuzzy teddy, then that's lovely. [awww emoticon]