I can't stop thinking of how my daughter has been affected by the birth of her brother. Not only is there the 'normal' sibling jealously but the constant worry we have when his fingers and toes turn blue (low oxygen sats and active 2 year old = blue fingers and toes on occasion), and when he's huffing and puffing after playing on a playground for a short while. Along with the worry of him catching a bug, not that we don't worry about her getting sick also, we talk so much more about his issues and I can't imagine how much it must bother her.
I've seen a facebook page that is making cards for heart baby siblings birthday's and I love it! I think far too many of these kids are holding in an extreme amount of worry and confusion as to what is happening to their world as they once knew it. I think a card for a heart sibling every time their brother or sister has a heart procedure would be a great idea too, give them a little something special for they are equally important and feeling the worry/jealousy same as us parents.
I our case, my daughter was an only child for 7 long years before any of this came into her life. She had her parents all to herself, never with the thought of what a heart defect was or how it could change her life. All she wanted was a real baby brother or sister to play with, not an radical life change to her mama. I love my mini-nanny (as 1 of my best friend calls her), she makes me proud and I know one day she will do amazing things with her talents. For now, hang in there big sis, be a kid and let laughter fill your days.
