As we prepare for the arrival of our second child, I find myself contemplating the emotions of my firstborn. The transition to welcoming a new baby will undoubtedly require adjustments from everyone involved, particularly for you, my dear son. Soon, you will be sharing not just your home and toys, but also the love and attention of your parents. This shift in dynamics may prove to be the most challenging for you.
In this quiet moment before the whirlwind begins, I want to share some thoughts with you. Here’s a letter just for you:
Dear [Child’s Name],
First and foremost, your mother and I are overjoyed by your enthusiasm about the new addition to our family. It’s a bit amusing that you refer to him as “our baby,” but we’ll leave the deeper implications of that for your future counselor to unpack. We eagerly anticipate the day you meet your little brother and witness the unique bond you will share—companions, roommates, rivals, and hopefully, friends.
We are excited to see how you will grow and learn from having a sibling, much like your mother and I did with our own siblings.
I wish I could say that nothing will change. In the most significant way, you will always be our son, and our love for you is unconditional—even during those moments when you drive us a little crazy! But come January, life will undoubtedly be different in numerous ways. You will have a little brother, and there are a few things I want you to understand.
Firstly, there’s no need to feel anxious. I realize that sharing your space with a baby is a new experience for you, but I have faith in your ability to adapt. In fact, we’re counting on your support as we navigate this together.
Also, there’s no room for jealousy. While I might not know exactly how my heart will expand to accommodate two children, I’m confident it will. Your place in our hearts is secure, regardless of the number of siblings you have (and rest assured, this will be the only one!). There’s no reason to worry about favoritism; as the firstborn, you already have a special status.
Change can be daunting, but it’s also a part of life. You may not be the youngest anymore, but you will always be our little guy. We are thrilled for you to step into this new role; you will excel at it. You’ll discover what it means to love someone as deeply as we love you, to protect them as we protect you, and to understand them in ways that make you both frustrated and proud.
Anticipate the joy of watching your heart grow just as ours did when you arrived.
Regardless of how hectic things may become—how fatigued your mother and I might feel, how many toys and clothes we may have to share with your baby brother, or how often he may get to enjoy a show instead of you—none of this will ever diminish our love for you. The arrival of another child will not change the fact that you remain our priority.
While there will be challenges, especially initially, I assure you that everything will be alright. You have nothing to worry about (leave that to me).
With much love,
Dad