My daughter Samantha is expecting her second child in January. Her four-year-old daughter, Lauren, has been displaying mixed feelings about the arrival of her sibling. It’s understandable because a new baby can have a dramatic affect on other children in the family.

Normal routines are disturbed and all of a sudden mom and dad appear way too busy to pay attention to older siblings. Everyone is showering the new baby with attention and welcoming him or her with gifts. It can be an emotionally trying time for the baby’s siblings. If there is a new big sister wondering where she fits in now, get ready to take action. Don’t let her feel left out! Show her how special and important she is with a gift of her own. Here are some ideas:

I Spy Books: The I Spy Book collection is a great way to keep a child self-entertained. While mom or dad is busy feeding or giving baby a bath, the big sister can hang out while searching for toys, animals or two-headed monkeys hidden amongst the busy pages of these colorful books.

Big Sister Gift Basket: What a magnificent surprise! You can order these baskets online or make your own. Take an ordinary basket (maybe one decked out in pink, purple and yellow) and load it with special presents such as a t-shirt that boasts I’m the New Big Sister, barrettes and jewelry, a purse and books that talk about becoming a big sister.

Personalized Collectible: Something with her name embellished on it will certainly make her smile. There are lots of options for personalization. Think about her age and what her tastes are. The younger the child, the easier your decision will be. For a teenager, consider a locket with her name engraved on the back or a watercolor painting that secretly reveals her name. For a younger girl, a charm bracelet featuring her name will do the trick. A door hanger or wall plaque are also good alternatives.

Their Very Own Baby: There’s probably no better gift to give a new big sister than a baby of her own. While mom is rocking the baby, big sister can rock her baby, too! You can choose from Amazing Amanda dolls, Dora the Explorer dolls and literally a thousand more. According to Wal-Mart.com, the most popular dolls include those from Zapf Creations, Barbie Dolls and Cabbage Patch Kids.

Remember. With the new baby getting all the attention, a little something special for the new big sister will be a greatly appreciated surprise! Pick yours up today.

Love, Liz!