New sibling for SD.

[TheWizardsWife]

Hello wise ladies, I wonder if you can help...

My lovely DH has a daughter that is at home with us about 40% of the time. Her mum is due her second child next month and I'm pondering how this will affect SD in many ways, including time spent with us.

The SD is a lovely little girl of 7 and is always happy at either house, doing great at school etc. I have two questions really, though all input welcome!

• should SD be spending more or less time than usual at either house or should it be kept the same in the weeks following the birth? I can see arguments for both, but as it is generally a battle anyway, I'm expecting her mum to insist she is at her house more. I'm not sure what is best for her.

*anything else to consider at our house really. There are no other children anywhere!

This must happen in millions of households but just have no experience so no idea what to expect! DH and I have spoken, he is generally of the opinion 'let's see what happens' but also determined she will be home with us as much as normal to enforce her family life here.

Thank you for reading and hopefully sharing.

I would keep to the schedule but offer to have DSD when the birth is imminent (ie be the standby babysitter). Plus I would also offer to do both pick up and drop off (if you don't already) for the normal access during the time when the baby is due or very new. This way you are being more than helpful and I expect your DSD would like to have the 'extra' attention she will get with you.

Whether her mum is insistent or not - the key thing for any changes at home like this would, I think, be consistency.

Thanks Ladygagoo, shall make the offer...anyone else have any wisdom to share?