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Present for first grandchild too?

(37 Posts)
vsitting Tue 16-Feb-16 12:10:50

Would you give a present to your first grandchild on the arrival of the second? I am inclined to as I would be giving a small gift for the newborn but not sure what to give a 3 yr old too. Any ideas?

Maggiemaybe Wed 17-Feb-16 12:28:26

Congratulations on the new arrival, vsitting!

We asked DGS2's parents first before giving DGS1 a present as well, and they suggested a Thomas the Tank dressing gown, so we got him that and a little wooden celebration cake set so that he could cut us all slices of cake at visiting time grin

We all have our own ways, but I have never given unbirthday presents. I think we all have a right to be special on our special days, and my lot have never had a problem with that. But a friend of mine always gave unbirthday presents to her girls that cost as much as the birthday presents, because she didn't want the other to feel left out. Each to his or her own, I suppose!

Alea Wed 17-Feb-16 12:36:41

The attention we lavish on new babies is also totally understandable but can be very hard on older siblings.
38 years on I still vividly remember a friend who should have known better, sweeping in, straight to newborn DD2 and completely ignoring 2year old DD1 who was standing in a corner with a face like thunder. The baby was asleep and could not have cared less but DD1 learned a hard lesson that day. I always make a fuss of the older sibling(s) and if possible wait until they are busy playing or out of the room before my "newborn cuddle".
As DGS1 once said at the age of 4 about his younger brother "life is hard when you're two!" smile

hulahoop Wed 17-Feb-16 12:48:01

I too always speak to older child and get them to introduce new arrival I don't think you need to buy gifts I usually take something when I see my sons children anyway but don't feel guilty when I don't .

maryEJB Wed 17-Feb-16 15:07:27

My problem is son1 and familyvhave a tradition of unbirthday presents and DiLs parents always give presents to all the children at all
Birthdays. However son 2 told us not to buy presents for older child when new baby arrived or unbirthday presents. Or presents for them when we visit. Its difficult because i like to treat them all rge same.

cayuga123 Wed 17-Feb-16 15:08:47

My 36 year old daughter found a police car in our toy box the other day and was telling her 18 mth old son that she had been given it by her new born baby sister 34 years ago when visiting the baby in hospital.

Pippa000 Wed 17-Feb-16 16:27:53

Congratulations on the new grandchild.

When number two arrived we, with the parents permission, gave number one a present from the new baby. All wrapped up with a card " To my big sister"

Balini Wed 17-Feb-16 16:37:16

By all means, give a present to your first grandchild. Maybe saying "we mustn't forget you, you were here first".

Wendy Wed 17-Feb-16 18:17:07

Our youngest arrived bearing gifts for her older brother and they have carried on the idea for their children. We only buy presents for the birthday girl for her special day, although one gd lent half of her birthday money to her younger sister so she didn't feel left out, to be paid back on her birthday.

Judthepud2 Wed 17-Feb-16 20:11:55

When DGD 3 arrived, I bought 2 tshirts for the older siblings. A pink sparkly one for pink sparkly loving DGD1 saying 'I'm the big sister' and one for her brother saying 'I'm the big brother' . They were delighted with this acknowledgement of their new status and wore them for days. Wouldn't take them off grin

ali55 Thu 18-Feb-16 11:43:04

I have a children's clothes shop and we often get asked for ideas for older siblings when they are buying a new baby gift we sometimes stock tshirts that say big brother or big sister but you have all given me some great ideas to pass on to my customers so thanks for that.

amberdogxK9 Fri 19-Feb-16 14:33:21

I had to smile at a memory from ages ago in response to the very good advice to consider the feelings of an older sibling when visiting a new baby. I had no children of my own at the time.

After ignoring my new nephew for ages , who was sleeping soundly in his bassinet , and talking to my older nephew at length about the gift I had bought him , my sister in law tentatively suggested holding the new baby.

No sooner had he be placed in my arms a fusillade of pieces of Brio train and track were thrown at both us , me protecting the baby.

I always tell my younger nephew it was a miracle he survived to adulthood.