Since sweet Carter has arrived we have dealt with quite a few jealousy issues from Maddie. I mean I can understand why she feels the way she does. Before he came along she was the center of everyone’s world, especially her Mimi’s. Then all the sudden this new little person is here and she is having to share the spotlight. She is confused and doesn’t understand, but we are working on it. Things have improved significantly, but by no means are over with. Just a couple of months ago, she would just get so mad that she would just lash out and hit Carter or throw something at him. We have tried it all. Give more attention to Maddie, time-out, hand smacking, hand squeezing, and lots of NO’s! We are getting through it and she is getting so much better. She actually is very sweet with him lately. We have really tried to encourage her to play with baby dolls and “take care” of them. She rocks them, feeds them, gives a pacifier, changes their diaper, and her favorite is to burp them. It has seemed to work. If she is rough with her babies she gets a time-out. She seems to be catching on…slowly but surely. I am certain that Maddie and Carter will grow up super close. I know she loves him and boy can she be sweet when she wants to be. It just melts my heart when she leans over and gives him a kiss or her excitement when she gets to see him. I wonder what they will be like when they get a little older and how will they interact with one another? It will be interesting to see what they are both like. Until then, we will continue to help Maddie understand that she has to be nice to Carter and that he is here to stay!
