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How you prepare your child for a new sibling depends on how old she is when you get pregnant again. Older kids will understand more about the impending arrival while toddler and preschool-aged children might not really get what's happening until you bring the baby home.

Either way involving them in preparations will help them cope with the changes and give them a chance to be an indispensible big brother or sister right from the start. Let them have a hand in decorating the nursery or sorting through the packed-away baby clothes. You can marvel together at how much your wonderful big kid has grown.

Here are some other ideas to ease your child through the...

How you prepare your child for a new sibling depends on how old she is when you get pregnant again. Older kids will understand more about the impending arrival while toddler and preschool-aged children might not really get what's happening until you bring the baby home.

Either way involving them in preparations will help them cope with the changes and give them a chance to be an indispensible big brother or sister right from the start. Let them have a hand in decorating the nursery or sorting through the packed-away baby clothes. You can marvel together at how much your wonderful big kid has grown.

Here are some other ideas to ease your child through the transition:

Set expectations. "It's important to talk honestly to older children about the new baby before he's born," says Jennfer Margulis, co-author with her husband James di Properzio of "The Baby Bonding Book for Dads." "Explain that new babies require a lot of care, sleep a lot, poop a lot, and cry a lot."

Expect some jealousy. Envy is a normal reaction for any kid; it doesn't have to doom the relationship. Allow your child to express his or her negative feelings. If she's not ready to share all her baby things just yet, allow her to choose one or two special toys or outfits to pack away.

Hit the library or bookstore. Read stories about becoming a big brother or sister. It's a great way to introduce the topic so you might even want to supplement your initial announcement with a stash of stories.

"Bribe" them. "Have the new baby bring the older kids a gift when he or she arrives," says Margulis. Also, remember that new babies get a lot of nifty stuff right at the beginning, which might make the older child feel left out. Make sure that you've set aside a few gifts to give to your older child when presents start arriving for the new baby.

Don't fret too much. Remember how people tried to tell you what raising your first baby would be like, only you didn't believe them? That's what it's like trying to get kids ready to be an older sibling.

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