[thecouponingdiva]

I could use some advise...

My sister lives in Alaska and has a three year old son who is one week older then my son. As of July third my nephew is coming down to Texas to live with my family and I for anywhere from 2 months to....???

My sister is in the Air Force and is trying to get pregnant again, trying to get out of the military so they can move back to Texas and take care of her other one year old son. She doesn't want to put them both in day care while she's working, so he's coming here. I have no problem with this what so ever. I am looking forward to him being here and so is DH and my kids.

The problem...I'm about to have twin boys! My son is a handful at three and now I'm going to have two of them and an 11 month old girl! Yikes!

He has his own bed, drawers, toys, clothes, closet space and special place in the play room so I have all that stuff covered. What else can I do to make him feel welcome and let him know we love him and want him here? My mother will also be staying with us a great deal of the time he's here to help out, but she'll be going back to Alaska to help my sister move and pack once she's out. He'll be staying here while she's gone.

I know this is kind of an odd situation, but does anyone have an advice?

Thank you!

[NJMom]

You'll be fine!

What about using the same sheets and bedding he has at home so that his bed feels familiar? Find out his favorite meals and indulge him for the first week. Take him to some special places with the whole family and also on his own a few times to get some one-on-one time with you.

Good luck!

[tmy56]

Have your 3 year old son choose things to do that will make your nephew feel welcome - include him in the planning - perhaps a trip to the zoo, for example. And, being realistic, I would expect there to be some tiffs after the honeymoon period wears off.

Your nephew will be in culture shock - and weather shock - moving from Alaska to TX.

[JCausby]

I would get some picture frames and pictures of him and his mom and him with your kids and put them in his room. It will be a nice touch to have friendly faces in his room.

Let him choose his own seat at the dinner table. Just giving small kids choices sometimes can really make them feel included.

Make sure he has any stuffed animals or whatever he likes to sleep with.