To my darling daughter, my little bug, my tiny baby bear, and all the other ridiculous names I call you.
I know you’re experiencing a lot of mixed feelings since your baby sister was born. I know you’re excited and you love her to pieces, but I also know you too well not to notice you seeming sad when Mommy spends time with baby. I’m writing this to tell you that it’s okay to be sad or mad. It’s okay and beautiful to feel your feelings.
When I was your uncle’s big sister, I learned a lot about the feelings you’re having right now. I want to share this knowledge with you, so you understand ahead of time some of the ways your new sister will change your world. Most of all, I want you to understand that love isn’t pie — it doesn’t diminish or disappear when another piece enters the picture. Your heart is more like a piggy bank — the more people you add to it, the more your love multiplies and grows.
Your Baby Sister Will Look Up to You
Becoming a big sister means shouldering a lot of new responsibilities. Chances are, your new baby sister will grow to idolize you. While having a new admirer doesn’t sound so bad, it does mean that what you do, your little sister will want to do, too. That means you’ll need to act as a good role model.
I know that sounds a bit scary, but please understand, becoming a role model doesn’t mean behaving perfectly all the time. We’re all human, and even your father and I make mistakes. But being a good role model does mean that choosing to participate in unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking means your sister will want to follow your example. Likewise, if you eat all your broccoli and carrots to grow big and strong your sister will want to do the same.
You have so many impressive traits that it’s hard to list them all. But I promise you that as long as you keep on being your honest, responsible, generous and determined self, your sister will feel proud to follow in your footsteps.
A Little Sibling Rivalry Is Normal
There will be days, my dear, when your little sister will drive you right up the wall. You’ll catch your sister playing dress up with your favorite clothes. Sometimes, she’ll eat all the blueberries in the fruit bowl, leaving you with nothing but kiwi — which I know you hate.
