Jealousy!

[Antheia]

It was Charlie's 1st birthday today and lily was so jealous that he got presents and she didn't. she kept taking them off him saying 'mine!' i told her no, they are charlie's it is charlie's birthday today. She didn't like that response so chucked a tanty and grabs charlie's toy again. I told her no again and took charlie with me out of the room. She calmed down after a bit a kinda forgot. I ended up giving her one of her xmas pressies just to stop her form taking charlies presents. Now i'm not sure if i should do this in advance. Buy her a small gift(and visa versa on Lily's birthday) when its his b'day just so she doesnt get so jealous? I feel like that is kinda wrong to be honest because really it is charlie's day and i dont want the attention taken away from him. like when he's older he will think well whats so great about this we both get pressies anyway etc. iykwim? but i'm not sure what else to do in future?

[Trillian]

Tegan, we never really had a problem when the kids were younger, but this year when Paige had her birthday, Erin got a bit narky that Paige got new barbie dolls. SO I just kept telling her that it was Paige's birthday today and that it was only x amount of weeks until her birthday. Not sure if Lily would be old enough to understand that though, as it's not long until her birthday too - maybe you could do a countdown chart for it? I personally don't agree with giving other children gifts on someone else's birthday just to keep them happy, they have to learn that they all have their own birthday kwim?

[Antheia]

Yeah i know i didn't like giving her something either. But i was kinda desperate at that point. She is just so demanding and like she does understand but she chooses not to listen i think. She is such a stubborn little thing!

The count down chart is a good idea. I might give that a go.

[all girls]

My girls are pretty good, sometimes they get a little funny but they know that their turn will come and they will get just as spoilt. I try to involve eldest DD in ideas for presents etc but the others are too young and have told whoever's b'day it is what presents they are getting.

I agree that it should be only the birthday boy/girl that gets presents but totally understand why you gave her in the middle of a tanty

[MantaRay]

Oh Tegan I feel for you hun, and I too can totally understand why you gave her the pressie even though you didn't think it was a good idea. Luckily Jack was really good on Tom's birthday, but we have recently started having some jealous moments. I expect that it is a normal part of their development, but it doesn't help us poor exhausted mums. It must be even harder for you being pg too. I hope it settles down soon for you and I also love the idea of counting her birthday down on a chart.