Read on to learn more about how sibling showers help.

Designating a special day to dote on a young child and commemorate the transition to becoming an older sibling before the baby arrives helps diffuse the child’s fears and insecurity. It reminds your child of the vital role he or she will play in the life of your newest family member.

Family counselor Yolanda Villegas, Ph.D., of Quezon City explains, “A special day to celebrate becoming an older sibling is similar to a birthday party celebrating another year in a child’s life. They both designate a special milestone and help the child take ownership of the event.”

Similar to a birthday celebration, a sibling shower or party filled with a child’s favorite snacks and songs that exclaim, “For he’ll be a jolly good big brother,” lets your child know that you recognize the changes in his or her personal life, as well as the changes in your family.  

A day that heralds a child as a big brother or sister also helps to foster the sibling bond even before the baby is born. “An event focused on celebrating a young child’s transition to becoming an older sibling is similar to an adult celebrating a promotion [at work].  It affirms the role and helps prepare him or her for this new ‘job,’” agree Drs. Villegas and Winters. Festivities held days or weeks before the birth acknowledge not only the joy of bringing a new baby into the world, but also the act of ushering a new sibling into the family.  

“Children wonder if the new baby will take their place at the dinner table or on grandpa’s lap. Kids are concerned that their friends will like the new baby more than they like playing with them,” Dr. Winters explains. Spending the day as the center of attention can also be extremely beneficial for a child struggling to understand how the new baby will alter the world as he knows it.  

“It reminds a child that even though one aspect of his life will change, another will remain consistent,” echoes Dr. Villegas. A sibling shower can reinforce that family members love and support him and that he will still have his circle of friends and neighbors.  

“Toward the end of the shower, my daughter was saying that she hoped we’d have another baby so she could throw her baby brother his own shower,” notes Lee.

Click here to learn more about planning a sibling shower.