[Phoenix Blue]

I have a DS1 5yo and DS2 4yo.

DS1 has started prep this year and loves it.

But DS2 misses him desperately. Last year he was quite happy to play on his own for short periods when DS1 was at 4yo kinder - and most of the kinder sessions were in the afternoon so he'd have a sleep anyway.

But now, with DS1 gone all day, every day, he's seems at a bit of a loss. He loves his 4yo kinder sessions (as do I!) but just wants to watch TV all the time when he's home. He's finding it harder and harder to play by himself for long periods.

I'm also due with No. 3 in less than a month, so my efforts into doing special things together has definitely dropped of. I always try to do something special with him during the day, usually cooking, or playing a game/story, or even making food shopping a special outing with a babychino. But I know it will be a lot worse for DS2 once the baby comes as I'll be even more distracted.

So just wondered if there is any tips or advice, types of activities I could be directing him towards etc, to help us get through the year.

I'm assuming that once he's at school next year, it will be much easier as the boys will be on the same timetable again, and they love playing together and are great at entertaining each other.

Thanks, Kate

This post has been edited by Phoenix Blue: 20/04/2012, 12:09 PM

[abcangel123]

I had this with my girls. It was a huge adjustment for DD2. She would be constantly be asking when is it time to pick up her sister and missed her terribly when she was at school. I made a point of having something to show or tell her sister about her day-rather than waiting around to hear about DD1's day at school. By halfway through the year, she was loving having 'special time' with me and her confidence definately grew. We did the little things too, cooking, picnic at the park, puzzles. It will be hard for them to play wonderfully by themselves, they have always had a playmate, since the day they were born.
Maybe you could introduce quiet (independant) play time at specific times each day, in prep for when baby comes. If he's finding it difficult to just play, give him some direction as what to build, or ideas on what to draw to get him started... Maybe start with short 10-15min blocks then change to something else.

[gizboo]

I didn't have many problems in that first year with my eldest at school last year. DS1 had his brother and brand new sister to play with at home.

If anything the issues started when DS1 started school this year. DD1 is a bit of a motherhen and got very stressed out about letting go lol It took most of the first term for things to settle down, and for her not to panic if DS1 wasn't waiting for her where he should have (or more, where she told him to be ). Thankfully, start of term2, and both are settling in really well, and best of friends again, they have always been very close, so school was definitely something new for them to work through. They have their own friends, but still stay together in the mornings and afternoons (kissndrop in am and bus in the arvo).