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It's tough being a big sister, especially when you've been The One and Only for three whole years. That's why my heart goes out to little Honor Marie Warren, whose mom, Jessica Alba, gave birth to her second daughter, Haven Garner Warren, just weeks ago. My daughter was 4 years old when my son was born, and while she definitely loved her little bro, the transition from Main Attraction to Yesterday's News wasn't exactly pretty.
So it made me smile to see Alba and her mom taking Honor out for a solo shopping trip at Century City Mall in Los Angeles yesterday. I know that parenting trick! It's called Hey, let's take you out for a special big girls only day, because even though there's this new person taking up all my time, Mommy still loves you!
Yup, I know that trick and I know it well. And let me tell you, anything goes on those older-sibling outings, as the shots of Alba, Honor, and Grandma prove (other pics, not shown, feature Honor with a balloon and sipping on a smoothie): Of course you can have a red balloon! Sure, we'll push you around in that fire truck cart thing-y! Whatever you want! It's your day!
Luckily, disposable income is not an issue for Alba. A word of warning to those of you from a slightly lower-than-Hollywood-star tax bracket: Don't set a pricey pattern! There was a kids' shoe boutique in our neighborhood when my daughter was having her big sister troubles, and yikes! Too bad about your college fund, we blew it all on toddler footwear. Seriously, her nickname for awhile was Imelda.
Anyway, balloons are cheaper than shoes.
Do you take your toddler out on special "big sibling" outings?
Image via Splash
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Comments (7)
I have raised/juggled five children and one thing that defintely worked was one on one time. It doesn't have to be expensive. It can be a bike ride with mom or a date to the library or local bookstore to read books together or even, because I loathe grocery shopping with the kids and usually would go at night after kids were tucked in bed, a trip to the grocery store or errands with mom. Of course one needs a partner who is available to care for the other kids or trusted sitter or care provider.
Now that my kids are older, the youngest is 9, they all speak of our one on one time as very treasured times. For me that makes that time all the more priceless.
Hurray for Ms Alba making the time for her first born especially when juggling the busyness of a newborn.
I'm a little concerned that you referred to your older child as "Yesterday's News". What an awful thing to say! It's that mentality that fuels sibling rivalry and jealously. And one-on-one time with your child isn't a "trick". It's called good parenting.
htats how it feels to the kid is what she meant GlowWorm889, i was 6 when my little sister was born and i remember sitting outside my moms room crying because no one came to see me they all wanted to see the baby and i felt like no one cared about me
I have an only child. But we still have days where Connor gets to pick what we do. Like today...we went to the park and did his homework.