In order to lessen the potential damage and hopefully improve the chances that your child will bloom and thrive as a confident and happy adult, here is a list of 10 phrases you're saying to your child that are actually hurting them.

1. "Why can't you be more like ... ?"

For years parents have been told not to compare children to other siblings or children, yet it still happens. Comparing your children has never been an effective motivational tool and has in fact been proven to have an adverse effect.

Instead, embrace each child for who he or she is, and celebrate whatever accomplishments they achieve.

2. "You used to ..."

Comparisons don't always happen between two children but can often be done within the same child. Maybe your child used to be the star soccer player but has since lost interest or even talent.

If this happens, don't compare him to the way he once was. Instead, work on what he can become without looking back.

3. "You know better than that"

When your child does something that disappoints you, especially when it seems like common sense not to take that course of action, parents will often say things like, "You know better than that."

Rather than telling them they know better, take it as an opportunity to better teach them something they didn't quite grasp the first time.

4. "Wait until your dad (or mom) gets home"

If you are a stay-at-home parent who is constantly dealing with fighting or rebelling children, it is often easier to take the responsibility off of yourself by placing it on the parent who is not home. In order to do that, some parents will say, "Wait until your dad (or mom) gets home."

Sure, this may calm the situation for the time being, but you're jeopardizing the relationship between your spouse and child. In turn, your child will grow to fear that parent, and that parent will not have a chance to develop a good relationship with your child if he or she is always putting out fires when returning from work

5. "Don't cry"

When your child comes to you crying, a response that most parents have is to say, "Don't cry." This response is most often directed at boys, and has been found to cause harm.

According to a recent documentary titled, "The Mask You Live in," boys in the U.S. are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder, prescribed stimulant medications, fail out of school, binge drink, commit a violent crime, and/or take their lives because they are not allowed to show feelings, particularly of sadness.

6. "If you don't eat all your vegetables, you won't get dessert"

In order to encourage their child to eat dinner, many parents will threaten with, "If you don't eat all your vegetables, you won't get dessert." While, in theory, this sounds effective, it does more harm than good.

Unknowingly, you are putting dessert on a higher plane than the food that is healthy for them by naming vegetables as the punishment and dessert as the reward. This can, in turn, create unhealthy eating habits that can be very difficult to break.

7. "I told you so"

When your child goes against your wishes and ends up having the adverse effect that you foretold, it is hard not to say, "I told you so."

However, no matter how many times you say "I told you so," it won't ever change the situation at hand. It is merely a snide remark that gives you more power.
Rather than using this phrase, it would be more beneficial to help your child learn from the mistake and make the situation better.

8. "It's none of your business"

Children are naturally curious, and will often ask questions about things that they may not be old enough to hear or perhaps regarding a topic that doesn't or shouldn't concern them. When this happens, parents often say,"It's none of your business."
Not only does this hurt the second it is said to the child, but it puts the child below you, causing long-lasting damage.

Instead, discuss why he or she can't have the information right now, but that there may be a day when you can talk about it.

9. "Because I said so"

When you set rules for your child to follow, you will likely have a quick response asking why. And, rather than getting into a long discussion with, say, your 12-year-old on why she isn't allowed to take her phone to her room at night, you tell her, "Because I said so," believing that your insertion of power will cause her to blindly obey.

While it may feel empowering to let that phrase come out of your mouth, it is really counterproductive.

Children not only want to know why, but they deserve to know why. Have that discussion, even if it is a hard one to have.

10. "Don't look" or "Don't touch"

As a parent, you can spot danger or destruction a mile away. Whether it is a pair of hair cutting scissors, a permanent marker, a hot stovetop or inappropriate content on the internet, you want to make sure your children are protected from themselves and others.

Oftentimes your first line of defense is to say, things like, "Don't look" or "Don't touch." However, children are not all that different from adults when it comes to acting on urges, especially when told not to.

Rather than telling them not to, educate them on what the dangers are and why it is important to stay away. It is also important to put up safety barriers like a WebSafety app in order to lessen the likelihood that these dangers will be available to them.

Regardless of what you say to your child, it's important to think before you speak. Know that words can have a long-lasting effect, so make each word count.

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Nothing is more precious than when your child stares at you straight in the eyes and says, "I love you, Mommy." Those words leave no question in your mind that your child loves you because it is all laid out for you as clear as day.

But, as any parent knows, these moments are few and far between, especially as your child gets older or if your child is just not the type to express her love verbally.

To make matters more difficult, parenting is a difficult and all-too-often thankless job, leaving many parents wondering, "Do my kids love me?"

While the answer may not be in the words they say, but there are ways that they are telling you they love you without saying a word.

1. He's exerting his independence

One of the hardest things a parent experiences is when her child decides he can do it on his own. Whether it's refusing to let you comb his hair or walk him to school, he is not being defiant, mean or pushing you out of his life.

Rather, these actions of independence are a way of saying, "Thank you for teaching me so well; now I can do it on my own," otherwise known as, "I love you."

2. It's in the tantrum

Tantrums are never a fun thing for a parent to deal with. Whether it is your toddler kicking and screaming on the kitchen floor, your 6-year-old stomping loudly as you drag him inside after he refused to come in for dinner, or your preteen who gets mad when you ground her from her phone.

These outlandish and often extreme ways of showing anger or frustration, while often directed at you in hurtful ways, are not an indicator that your child doesn't like you.

According to an article in UK's Baby Centre, "Those screaming fits don't mean he's stopped loving you. In fact, they show he feels secure with you. He feels able to show his true feelings with you when he's hurt or angry. He wouldn't do this if he didn't trust you deeply."

3. She makes her bed

It may be uneven in the corners, the pillow might not be fluffed, the bottom sheet might still be pushed down to the end of the bed along with her socks she kicked off in the middle of the night, but she made her bed without you asking.

And even though it was her bed, not yours, this small act of service is telling you she loves you.

4. He gives you a bundle of dandelions

Unlike adults, kids do not often have the means to buy gifts but still desire to give tangible items to the ones they love. Often these gifts come in forms that are perhaps not as desirous, like a half-eaten banana, a picture drawn carefully on the kitchen wall or a handful of dandelions he picked on the walk home from preschool.

Take each gift as a sign that he loves you because that's just what it is.

5. She wants help with her homework

You know full well that your daughter can do long division on her own, and that she is perfectly capable of practicing her spelling words without you sitting beside her, yet, she insists you be there for every problem and every word written.

This can be extremely time-consuming on the part of the parent, but it may just be that in her asking for that time, she is telling you she loves you.

According to Gary Chapman, author of "The 5 Love Languages of Children," one of the ways children show love is through time, both giving and asking for it. He says, "People with the love language of quality time like it when others do things with them "¦"

6. She sits on your lap

Your toddler climbs on the couch to cuddle with you while holding her baby blanket.

No words are exchanged, but none are needed. The feeling she gets from being wrapped up in the gift you gave her while sitting snuggly on your lap is all you both need. You love her, and she loves you.

Minky Couture works to make every moment with your children memorable. By providing handmade, luxuriously soft blankets, Minky Couture blankets are sure to make every moment memorable.

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There is a difference between getting married and building a happy, long-lasting marriage. One requires meeting the right person and going through certain steps to make the relationship legal and binding. The other requires some investing to make marriage work.

Here are 9 investments you need to make in your marriage:

Protect your investment

You protect your money by putting it safely in a bank or safe. You protect your children by keeping tabs on their friends and whereabouts. You protect the safety of your family by maintaining a home with locks on every door and maybe a security system.

But what about your marriage? Do you put similar safeguards in place to protect it from being hurt, damaged or even destroyed?

Marriage is an investment that requires not only time and money but your heart, mind and soul. Take the proper steps to protect your marriage, just as you would anything else - if not more so.

Read:9 baby shower gifts new moms actually want

Invest in yourself

One of the first rules of managing finances is to pay yourself first. The same rule goes for marriage.

When you neglect yourself, you can lose your identity, which can also lead to resentment and self-hatred. But when you address your own needs, you can find balance and happiness and be able to give with a full heart.

Be selfless

While taking care of yourself is a key investment in a healthy marriage, the same is true for taking care of your spouse's needs.

Best-selling author Joshua Becker wrote, "A selfish person is committed only to himself or herself, shows little patience, and never learns how to be a successful spouse. Give your hopes, dreams, and life to your partner."

Maintain daily interest

Marriage has its peaks and valleys, its good times and bad ones. But it can also have plateaus. Often, it is during the seemingly smooth ride of a relationship that things start to take a dive.

Keep life together interesting every day, whether by trying a new meal, joining a fitness class, watching a new movie, or simply changing up the conversation a bit, by not talking about kids and finances all the time. In doing so, you can turn that boring, smooth road into an exciting, and less traveled, one.

Make physical intimacy a priority

The physical act of sex is a sensitive topic, with both partners having very different viewpoints on it. While men have sex to feel close, women need to feel close to have sex, according to Melissa Lambson, founder of New Leaf Counseling. "If you fix the sexual relationship, a lot of other things start to fall into place."

But sexual intimacy isn't the only physical contact needed in a marriage. "When you bring up something negative with your spouse, if you touch, it reduces the level of tension," Lambson said.

Physical contact alone, whether it is holding hands, rubbing your spouse's shoulders or simply placing a hand on your husband's knee, releases the bonding hormone oxytocin in the brain.

Have an attitude of forgiveness

Marriage relationships are not perfect, mainly because a marriage is composed of two imperfect people.

As much as he was your Prince Charming on the day you recited your vows, you must remember that even Prince Charming has flaws - flaws that can be overlooked and/or forgiven. Know that no matter how significant the pain may be, it is always possible to forgive. By keeping an attitude of forgiveness, you can build a stronger marital bond than you ever thought possible.

Time

Time invariably passes, but it is how you spend that time that counts.

Take time to go on regular dates with your spouse. Leave the children with your parents for a weekend, find a babysitter for a few hours, or stay up late and watch a movie, then sit out on the porch and talk while the kids sleep.

Making that regular connection with your spouse is not only important, but it is vital. Taking this time can help in maintaining intimacy and improving communication, and it is even healthy for children to see their mom and dad spending time together.

Don't think you can do it alone

Every marriage has its struggles, with some challenges being more difficult to manage than others. Enlisting the help of a professional, by way of a marriage counselor, could very well mean the difference between a happy marriage and an unhappy or discontinued marriage.

According to research conducted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 93 percent of people who worked with a marriage or family therapist said they had more effective tools for dealing with their problems.

Invest more than the required amount

It is possible to get through a marriage doing the minimum required, but it is doing the extra things that not only lets your spouse know of your love, but that keeps things exciting, meaningful and long-lasting.

Minky Couture makes blankets that are built to last. And while they are more expensive than traditional fleece blankets, they provide warmth and comfort and show love in a way that other fleece blankets never will.

The things that are worth the most in life cost a little more, but they're definitely worth the investment.

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We've all been there. Somebody does something, whether intentionally or unintentionally, that hurts us. Our body's natural response is to put up defense mechanisms to keep from being hurt again, with one of those mechanisms being anger.

Holding a grudge toward those who have hurt us is often a way of justifying why we are hurt. And many times we feel that if we let go of that anger or grudge we are taking away the reason for that hurt. In reality, holding on to those feelings is causing more hurt for not only you, but also the person who hurt you.

As difficult as it is to forgive those who have hurt us - especially when, perhaps, he or she doesn't deserve to be forgiven - doing so will enable you to more easily cope with the hurt.

Here are 10 tips for forgiving someone who doesn't deserve to be forgiven:

1. Make the decision early on to forgive

The most difficult time to decide whether or not to forgive is after you have been hurt. Make the decision to always forgive so that when you are hurt, there is no question of what you will do.

In February 2007, father of four Chris Williams was driving his with his family when a 17-year-old who was driving under the influence struck the Williams' car, killing Chris Williams' wife, their unborn child, and two of his children.

As he sat in the wreckage, knowing full well that he had lost members of his family, Williams made the decision to forgive - a decision that changed the course of life for both him and the 17-year-old driver.

2. Replace the hurt with love

The Bible tells us to love our enemies, to bless them, do good to them, and pray for them (Matthew 5:44).

By trying to more fully understand those who have hurt us and by gaining love and compassion toward him or her, we will be able to replace hurt with love - something that we could all use a little bit more of.

3. Give up the control, and have faith

Holding on to anger and hurt is in reality an act of control - one that is really difficult to let go of.

In an interview given to his local newspaper, Williams said, "I really have to let people look in and see that there was an enabling power that allowed me to do that which I couldn't do for myself, and so it really wasn't about how do I get the power to do this, it was about how do I allow a much greater power than me to help move me forward. And that's an act of faith, and that's an act of trust, and I think that's really the core of what people are struggling with, is they don't want to give up on the control."

4. Ask, "What can I learn from this?"

Every trial has a lesson, and finding it may be the key to moving on. Whether it is learning to be more kind; having more patience, compassion toward others; or if the lesson is that of forgiveness, there is always a lesson to be learned.

5. Have a grateful heart

When tragedy strikes, it can often seem like your whole world is crashing down. However, if you take the time to count your blessings and be grateful for what you do have, you will be able to have a more positive outlook on life and make it through your trial.

6. Don't let the hurt define you

When Williams lost his wife and two of his children, it was most likely the most life-changing event that happened or will ever happen in his lifetime.

Rather than letting the hurt define him, he took the events of that night to become a better person.

7. Keep anger out of it

When you feel your defenses start to go up and anger start to creep in, take a minute to process your feelings, then move the anger out of the equation; anger will only intensify the hurt.

As the Mayo Clinic points out, "If you allow negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice."

8. Don't forget

When people think of forgiveness, the phrase "forgive and forget" is often quoted.

Remembering what happened is not what prevents you from forgiving; it is the feelings associated with what happened that makes forgiveness difficult.

Don't forget what happened; instead, use it as a tool to help you and others learn.

9. Pray

Forgiveness is an ongoing process, and even when the decision is made to forgive, sadness and anger have a way of showing up at unexpected times.

By praying often, both for the ability to forgive as well as for the person who hurt you, you will find strength to forgive.

According to an article published on Oprah.com by author Karen Salmansohn, "Whenever angry feelings about a person who's harmed you enter your mind, tell yourself: 'We are all good, loving souls who occasionally get lost.' Pray for this person to find their way back to a happier place."

10. Take a positive action

Often the best way to forgive another is to turn your hurt into something that will help others.

Shortly after the crash, Williams gave a press conference where he spoke about his decision to forgive, also giving a call to action to others, asking them to "extend a single act of kindness, a token of mercy or an expression of forgiveness "¦ by Valentine's Day." He then encouraged people to write about the experience and send it to his two surviving sons.

According to an article written in the Deseret News, "Williams received hundreds of letters and emails about services rendered, from sending cookies to a neighbor to vowing a renewed commitment to forgive an offense from a spouse."

_Williams' story is now a major motion picture, "Just Let Go", now available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray.__

Producers are calling the event "A Night of Forgiveness" and hope that Williams' story will teach others to forgive, even those who, by all accounts, don't deserve to be forgiven.

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But nothing can put a damper on your fun more than being a victim of beach theft. Returning to your beach site to find that some of your belongings have been stolen can turn your fun in the sun into a summer bummer.

Protecting your belongings at the beach can be done, but it takes planning and creativity on your part. Here are five ingenious ways to protect your stuff at the beach.

1. Put them on ice

Who said that coolers were only for carrying edibles? Stick your keys, sunglasses, and other valuables in a bag, wrap them up in a small towel to prevent freezing, and let them join your food for a while.

2. Hide them in a your beach toys

A day at the beach is made much more enjoyable with beach toys. But what if one or more of those items could double as a hiding place for valuables? Wrap them in a plastic baggie, and put them in the center hole of a swim noodle; just don't forget which noodle you hid them in or your valuables might wash up on shore on another continent.

3. Bury them under a sand castle

If you're going to build a sand castle or sand mermaid, why not put that art to use by burying your valuables underneath it? Make sure to seal your belongings in a bag. Sand and phones don't mix well, and trying to find a wedding ring beneath your creation may put a damper on your evening - and your marriage.

4. Create a diversion

Creating a diversion does not mean doing acrobatics in an attempt to distract the potential thief, although that may be a possible deterrent. In this case, a diversion is turning an item, such as a Pringle can or sunscreen bottle into a container for your valuables. You can create your own, or purchase some online.

Perhaps one of the best diversions can be found in your diaper bag. Stick your valuables in a sealed plastic bag, wrap it in a clean disposable diaper and submerge it in the ocean. This will create the illusion the diaper is soiled. What thief will fish through a dirty diaper for valuables?

5. Invest in a 'Sand Locker'

While it is fun to think of ways to trick potential thieves, sometimes it is best to find products created by expert inventors.

The Aqua Vault and Beach Vault. Both items are designed not only to hide your belongings, but also to have them safely locked.

With a little creativity and vigilance on your part, a trip to the beach will be filled with memories of playing in the sand and ocean and donning your best beach-wear and accessories that may or may not have spent the better part of the day under a carefully crafted sand dinosaur.

_Del Sol is your fun-in-the-sun expert! Check out their line of color-changing sunglasses, flip-flops, T-shirts and more at delsol.com

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Any parent with kids knows that a fear of the dark is inevitable. According to parents.com, a fear of the dark is one of the leading fears of young children with most children experiencing it some point during childhood.

And while most kids outgrow this, there are ways to help the process along. Here are a handful of extremely creative ways to help your kids conquer their fear of the dark.

Go for a night walk together

For most children, the fear of the dark comes because of the fear of the unknown. When they cannot see they begin to imagine things that could be out there. By going for a night walk, you can discuss the new and exciting things that you can see in the dark, allowing your child to understand darkness.

Your night walk may be as simple as around the house or a quick summer night's stroll down the street. Both should help.

Use a nightlight

Having just a small amount of light in the room can make a big difference for children. Opt for something simple that poses few risks for kids. The SnapPower Guidelight features small guiding lights that illuminate at night, giving your children the perfect amount of night light, while also having sensors that turn the light off during the day. The SnapPower Guidelight is safe, is not bulky and is built right into the faceplate (so you don't have to worry about kids pulling the night light out of the wall). And since it doesn't take up an outlet, you can use it in any room in the house without having to unplug anything.

Play games in the dark

Get out the flashlight and make hand puppets. Get out glow-in-the-dark stickers or art supplies and create masterpieces. By making the dark fun, it will become less of a scary thing.

Use 'Monster Spray'

For some children, being told that there are no monsters under their bed is just not enough. That is when you need to remedy the situation - and fast. Fill up a spray bottle with water and label it, "Monster Spray." One spray in each affected area does the trick - until next time.

Trade the stuffed animal for a light saber or Wiffle bat

When the monster spray wears off in the middle of the night, your child may wake up feeling the need to protect himself. By swapping out Teddy for an object that can be used against an oncoming monster, your child may sleep soundly knowing that they have something to protect themself.

Snack on cheese and crackers

Before they brush your teeth, let your child choose his or her favorite dairy snack (ex-nay on the sugar-ay) before retiring to bed. According to an article found in Reader's Digest, studies have shown that the calcium in dairy products, helps the brain use the tryptophan found in dairy to manufacture sleep-triggering melatonin.

Let your child tell you what they're scared of

Often it is easiest to tell your children that "there's nothing to be scared of." The fact of the matter is, whether the fear is real or not, it's real to them. Validate what your child is scared of by listening to what he or she has to say. Sometimes, just talking about the fear is all it takes to let it go.

Tell real bedtime stories

Some of the most soothing stories are not the ones found on paper, rather the ones that come from you. Tell your children about times when you were afraid. Knowing that Mom or Dad were once afraid of the dark, too, will make your child feel less alone. And it might help you to understand his or her fear a little better as well.

Take control of bedtime and let SnapPower help you help your kids to dispel those fears faster than they appeared in the first place.

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Every day, billions of people wake up in the morning and go about their busy days. For some, the busyness of the day does not allow for time to reflect, while for others, the mundane routine offers little to look forward to, or to be grateful for.

The nature of life today does not often lend itself to recognizing the miracles happening around us and often to us. It is this inability to see everyday miracles in our lives that often causes depression, anxiety and hopelessness.

When we focus more on the miracles in our lives, we can have a better outlook on life and be happier.

Here are seven everyday miracles you may be overlooking.

People changing before your eyes

You've heard it before, the saying that "people don't really change." Well, that couldn't be farther from the truth. We've all seen the examples. What about abusive, alcoholic father who somehow, someway came to his senses to overcome addiction, save his marriage and family relationships?

Myriad other examples flood the earth everyday. As the famous Russian author, Leo Tolstoy once wrote, "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." When you accept that people can and do change, you see miracles in abundance.

Protection in time of need

Even when you are having a difficult time seeing the miracles in your life, there are plenty of examples of miracles from those who came before us, that we can look back on and learn from.

Nineteen years ago, in the small town of Cokeville, Wyoming, an elementary school filled with students, teachers and staff, was taken hostage by two people carrying weapons, including guns and a bomb designed to blow up the school.

After many hours, the bomb went off inside the room that held every child and adult as well as the two perpetrators. Miraculously, aside from some injuries, the only fatalities were those of the perpetrators.

The miracles didn't stop there; children gave accounts of angels who kept them safe and calm during the ordeal. The accounts of which, were recreated in the movie The Cokeville Miracle.

When death knocks and nobody answers

The story of Colton Burpo, a small town Nebraska boy, is just one of many where death came knocking and its intended victim didn't succumb. As told in the New York Times Bestselling book and 2014 film Heaven Is For Real Colton underwent a life-threatening surgery that he miraculously endured.

After the surgery Colton told his family what he experienced and how he'd visited Heaven. His story isn't the only of its kind but sure does touch hearts and remind us all that miracles do happen.

Advances in technology

Technology is everywhere - so much so that the miracle of its very existence is often overlooked. From different forms of communication to life changing medical advancements, technology changes lives for the better everyday.

This was the case with a Utah couple, who after eight years struggling with infertility, recently had quadruplets. The couple was quoted as saying, "These babies are miracles."

Healthy family relationships

Living under the same roof with the same people day in and day out can be strenuous on any relationship. Family relationships can be some of the closest, while at the same time, the most distant. Personalities clash, feelings get hurt and bridges have a way of burning, often causing feuds that last years.

Many who find themselves in situations like these are often known to say, "It would take a miracle to fix our family." And as those who have overcome such odds can attest to, it took just that.

Random acts of kindness

Cookies delivered to your door, a nice note in the mailbox or inbox, a smile from a stranger. These seemingly small acts can often have miraculous effects from healing the sick to causing more kindness to be spread.

When one feels loved, he or she is more apt to show kindness toward others, spreading miraculous acts of kindness and love.

The earth around you

Look at the mountains, the valleys, the trees, flowers, rivers and streams. The beauty, alone is awe-inspiring. If you think about what part each earthly element plays, you realize that each is miraculous.

The mountains provide protection from passing storms; the trees and flowers produce oxygen for us to breathe; the rivers provide much-needed water for all living creatures. These are just a few of the miracles found in the earth, and there are millions.

Miracles happen around us all the time - even on an everyday basis. All we need to do is open our eyes, minds and hearts to see them.

Get ready to witness to one of these incredible miracles. The Cokeville Miracle is available now on DVD. Click here to order your copy today.

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You are now worried about this happening to your children. Is new-baby jealousy inevitable? Is there a way to prevent it from happening?

"Yes," says Maureen Einfeldt, mother of 10. "There are ways of preventing this from happening." When asked how to combat new-baby jealousy, Maureen gave these tips:

Begin Early

"Even while the baby is still in your womb, talk to your child about when you were expecting them," Maureen said. Tell them stories about when you felt them moving around, and let them feel your belly, as well. Involve them in naming the baby. In doing things like this, it will both get your child excited about the new addition, but also make them feel special and loved."

Avoid using a negative tone when referring to 'the baby'

"All too often, parents will say things like, 'Be quiet! You'll wake the baby!' or ' Don't touch that! It's the baby's!'" Maureen continued, "In saying things like this, your older child will naturally feel resentment for 'the baby'"

Be gentle in your words toward them (the older child)

Instead of using the words I mentioned before, be gentle in your words. If you need the house to be quiet so the baby can sleep, talk about it with your child, and then make quiet time a good time. You can take this time to read to them, or play quiet games. This way, they will look forward to these times, rather than feeling like they have to be quiet, 'or else.'

Talk to the baby - about them. "

Everyone likes to hear good things about themselves. Even more, to hear someone telling another person those good things," Maureen said. "Take the time, perhaps while changing baby's diaper, to tell the baby, 'you have such a good big brother. He is such a good helper.' This will not only make them feel good, but will reinforce behaviors that you expect out of your child. (It works great on husbands, too)."

Have your older child be the helper

"Tell your older child that this baby is also their baby. Have them be a helper. Let them help get the wipes or a toy for their baby," Maureen added. "In doing this, they will be protective of their baby, helping to form a lasting love and bond."

Last, but not least: Allow your "big kid" to have times when they can be a baby

"I remember when I came home from the hospital, and I hadΒ three children all under the age of 3. I expected so much out of my almost 3-year-old, and oftentimes forgot that she, too, was a baby," Maureen recounted. "I needed to realize that as much as I wanted my oldest to be grown up and help me, she had times when she needed to be hugged and snuggled, just as the new baby. It is important to allow them times like these."

By taking these small steps, the dreaded "new-baby jealousy," will be less of a reality - if not avoided completely, and you will be able to enjoy the wonderful new experience that a new little one brings to your family.

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