From One Child to Two (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I feel satisfied-happy-now in a way I didn't before-tired of course, but more content-it's quite a change..." (more)
Key Phrases: older sib, firstborn children, Living Together, First Three Weeks, Look Ahead

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Dunn's book is designed to ease the transition through the arrival-of-a-second-child trauma. This anxiety may be exacerbated by the current trend toward having a second child when the firstborn is older, which calls for different skills from those needed for two under two. Dunn (human development, Pennsylvania State Univ.) includes ways of preparing the family for the baby, advising on changes due to pregnancy and on organizing the household, anticipating changes in the firstborn's behavior, and discussing sibling rivalry and the special case of twins. Dunn (Separate Lives, BasicBks., 1990. reprint, 1992) pretty much debunks the idea that it's a good thing to bring an older child into the delivery room or even that birth order is extremely significant. This practical work from an expert on siblings will be very helpful in all public library parenting collections.
Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Clear, concise, empathetic, and knowledgeable, Dunn's how-to is indispensable for second-time parents. Dunn, whose specialty is sibling relationships, draws on longitudinal studies, interviews with parents, and her clinical practice to advise on caring for two children, preparing the firstborn for a new sibling, encouraging a happy relationship between the children, and coping with competition, conflict, and rivalry. Her down-to-earth text provides a wealth of detail on such key concerns as differences between children, providing the firstborn with private space and one-on-one time with the parents, sources of ambivalence in sibling relationships, and ways to handle feelings of displacement. A particularly positive note is sounded by Dunn's frequent counsel to parents to stay concerned with their own mental and physical well-being and health despite the stresses of the nonstop schedule and relentless demands of busy family life. Kathryn Carpenter

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (January 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449906450
• ISBN-13: 978-0449906453
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,914 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the Meg Zweiback book, August 12, 2002

By	Pali "Jupity" (North Bay, CA) - See all my reviews

My first son will be 14 1/2 months old when his little brother is born and I can't seem to find much advice on how to prepare us all for this. I got a lot more out of this than the Meg Zweiback book though. If you are having a second baby when your first child is 3 or over you will get even more out of this book. However, this book is not only for how to prepare in advance for your growing family. It has a lot of usefull information in it which I'm betting I will come to rely on as the boys are growing up. It presents scenarios that are sure to come up as your children get older and gives advice on how to deal with them. All in all, a pretty good book for addressing concerns you may already have and preparing you for some you probably haven't thought of yet.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Worst Case Scenario Book for Having a Second Child, January 31, 2006

By	K. Scruggs "kmichael" (SF, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are going to read only one book on introducing a second child to your family, this is the book to read. It offers advice on what to expect, things to think about and behaviors to watch for.

For example, Ms. Dunn offers advice on discussing the upcomming birth with the first child. She writes: "Even a child under age two picks up when you are talking about the baby with other people. So it makes sense not to be secretive or mysterious about the baby. Mystery can cause worry." She then offers advice on what you might talk about with your first child.

In a second example, Ms. Dunn discusses the first weeks with a second child in the home. She writes: "Even if your firstborn's behavior is driving you to distraction, it's important to give her all the love and attention and cuddling you can spare now. That doesn't mean overindulging her or letting her break all the rules. It does mean trying to put yourself in her shoes and look at the world through her eyes." She then discusses some of the typical behavors, both good and bad, of the firstborn during the first weeks that the baby is introduced into the household.

I found this book to be a great resource, one that I expect to reference over and over as I encounter issues while raising two kids in the household. After reading through her book, I have more confidence in introducing the second child to the family and less anxiety about what might happen to the familial dynamic.

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading during second pregnancy, August 24, 2001

By	Kyla Boyse (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Very useful, research- and clinical practice-based advice on all the issues around having that second child. Succinct, many examples, and helpful summaries of tips at the end of each chapter.