Daily Journal: When Baby Comes Home, Helping Big Kids Feel Seen, Loved, and Prepared
By: Minister Denise N. Fyffe
There’s a special kind of excitement that fills a home when a new baby is on the way. The tiny clothes, the soft blankets, the baby showers, the name debates — it all feels like a celebration. But for older siblings, that celebration can feel a little confusing. They’re watching everyone prepare for someone they haven’t met yet, and deep down they’re wondering, “What does this mean for me?”
As parents, we often assume children will “adjust naturally,” but the truth is: big emotions come with big changes. And welcoming a new baby is one of the biggest changes a child can experience.
That’s exactly why I wrote Babies Are Tiring, Aren’t They? When Baby Came Home — to give families a gentle, joyful way to talk about what happens when a newborn joins the family. It’s a story filled with rhythm, humor, and real-life moments that help children feel prepared, included, and understood.
Why Older Siblings Need Support During Baby Transitions
Children don’t always have the words to express what they’re feeling. They may not say, “I’m worried you won’t have time for me anymore,” but they might show it through clinginess, frustration, or sudden independence.
And that’s normal.
A new baby changes routines, attention, and even the energy in the home. Older siblings feel it all — the excitement, the curiosity, the jealousy, the confusion. They’re trying to figure out where they fit in this new family picture.
That’s why stories matter.
Stories give children language.
Stories give them a mirror.
Stories give them reassurance.
In my book, the siblings experience the same things real children do: the crying, the messes, the nighttime wake-ups, the moments when Mommy and Daddy are tired. But they also experience the joy — the giggles, the bonding, the growing love.
Representation Matters: Seeing Your Family in a Story
One of the most beautiful things about this book is that it reflects a multicultural, Jamaican‑American family. Families today come in all shades, shapes, and combinations — blended families, adoptive families, interracial families, stepfamilies, and everything in between.
Children deserve to see families that look like theirs.
When a child opens a book and sees a mother who looks like Mommy, a father who looks like Daddy, or siblings who look like them, something powerful happens. They feel seen. They feel included. They feel like their story belongs in the world.
And for families who don’t look like the characters, representation still matters. It teaches empathy. It teaches inclusion. It teaches children that families come in many beautiful forms.
How to Prepare Older Siblings for a New Baby
Whether your child is three or eight, preparation makes a world of difference. Here are a few gentle ways to help them feel secure and excited:
- Talk early and talk often
Children need time to process change. Let them ask questions, even the funny ones like, “Will the baby take my toys?” or “Can the baby walk when it comes out?”
- Give them a special role
Children love responsibility. Let them be the “big helper,” the “diaper runner,” or the “storytime leader.” It gives them ownership and pride.
- Keep one-on-one moments sacred
Even ten minutes of undivided attention can calm a child’s heart. It reminds them that your love hasn’t changed.
- Use books to start conversations
This is where Babies Are Tiring, Aren’t They? shines. The story opens the door for children to say, “That happens at our house too!” or “I feel like that sometimes.”
- Normalize the hard parts
Babies cry. Babies wake up at night. Babies take time. When children know this ahead of time, they’re less likely to feel blindsided.
Why Humor Helps Children Adjust
Children learn best when they’re laughing. Humor lowers anxiety and makes new experiences feel less scary. In the book, the family navigates funny, relatable moments — spilled bottles, sleepy parents, and the kind of chaos every parent knows too well.
When children laugh at these moments, they’re also learning:
“This is normal. This is okay. My family can handle this.”
A Book That Feels Like Home
Every page of this story was created with intention — the watercolor softness, the emotional safety, the cultural authenticity, the gentle rhythm. I wanted families to feel held by the story, not overwhelmed by it.
And I wanted children to walk away with one message:
Love doesn’t get smaller when a new baby comes. It grows.
A Perfect Gift for Expecting Families
This book is ideal for:
- Baby showers
- Big sibling announcements
- Family reading time
- Preschool and kindergarten classrooms
- Churches and children’s ministries
- Multicultural family libraries
- Parents preparing toddlers for a new sibling
It’s more than a story — it’s a tool. A conversation starter. A bridge between the world a child knows and the world they’re about to enter.
Final Thoughts
When a baby comes home, the whole family grows — not just in number, but in love, patience, and understanding. With the right tools, children can navigate this transition with confidence and joy.
Babies Are Tiring, Aren’t They? was written to help families do exactly that.
About the writer:
Minister Denise N. Fyffe is a devoted Christian, author, and servant of God, whose life is guided by her faith and values. Since accepting Jesus Christ at a young age, she has made it her mission to share her journey. She also shares her knowledge of the Bible with others. Besides her passion for writing, Minister Fyffe is actively involved in outreach, Christian mentorship, and ministering the Word of God.
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