New Baby Book for Blended Family

There is a book about blended families and the authors are Don and LaDean Houck. I can't remember the name of it. It is not a children's book, but it has great info on blended families. I benefitted from it as an adult to understand some of the dynamics with my half siblings.

Thanks a tough one... you can make your own book at

This one is SOOOO cute

http://www.tikatok.com/view/book/the-best-mom-in-the-whol...

or you can be totally original :-)

http://www.blurb.com/?ce=google_gen&gclid=CJyMjdKegpo...

and cater it to Holly. It is a lot of work but worth it.

Good Luck!
E.

There are a lot of book companies out there, but if you want a totally custom book, I can help you do a totally custom book. I'm with an online custom book company called HeritageMakers. As a consultant, I can help you design the book together or design it for you. My site personal site is www.holdingmemoriesforever.com. Feel free to give me a call if you have questions at ###-###-####. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about the different companies.

Do the kids live with Daddy & Holly, or their mom? I think maybe the books wouldd be ok, because mommys and daddy's make babies, and that's what happened. Holly & Dad can then go on to answer their questions about the blended/extended family side of things - there are probably books out there about blended families that they could check out (maybe even at the library). I'd check the library first and then buy what seems best if needed. Congratulations!

I think that 4 and 5 year old children are old enough to realize that their step mother may not be their mommy, but she will be her baby's mommy, and that together, they all make a special family. Instead of going through an elaborate process of creating custom books or just skirting the issue, consider realistically talking with them about the situation and include them in a new family dynamic that makes them feel excited about their new sibling. good luck!

I'm not exaclty sure what you are wanting, but I've done several photo books at shutterfly.com. They aren't too expensive, you upload photos, journal how you want, make notes about pictures how you want, etc. Maybe that is what would work?

If they are 4 and 5, they probably can't read, so she could buy any book and read it to the kids. Whenever the BOOK says "Mommy," she can just SAY "Holly." They won't know. And if they should happen to ask, I don't think it would be a big deal to explain.

Just a thought and this is coming from a Desktop Publishing teacher. What about buying a book then creating one of your own using similar wording. You could type it up, illustrate it using clip art, and then have it bound at a Kinko's.

Since she and her husband will probably be the ones reading the book TO the children, couldn't they just verbally make the substitution? Or use white out rather than crossing out to make it more professional looking?

Congratulations to your sister and BIL!

M.
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1.) You are mommy to the new baby. Use mommy.
2.) Try to create a baby book for the 4 and 5 yr old using the best info your husband can give you about them. Treating children equally is one way to equalize the situation. Each kiddo feels special and no one's feelings get hurt.

Write one yourself! I wrote many, many books for my kids when they were little. I could make them laugh because I knew what they thought was funny, and teach them things that other age appropriate books were not teaching them!

It doesn't even have to be anything elaborate! I always did mine on construction paper. The pages were 1/4 in size, and I stapled them together for the binding.

If you want to get a little more fancy, write the book on your computer, and upload (with clipart) to lulu.com. You can even have a cover of your choosing and everything. (You can draw a baby on Holly's belly and have the other kids stand next to her. Then have that for the cover!)

This is really fun to do! They can make it an event! :)

I don't have any book suggestions, but it sounds like everyone is worrying too much about confusing the kids. I have a 4 year old, barely turned 4, and he would completely understand the difference of who is mommy and who is not mommy. I would give the kids a little more credit. Not that this still won't be a confusing time, but I think it will have nothing to do with explaining where babies come from or that it's not mommy and daddy, but mommy and holly. I think the adjustment of having a step mom and now a new sibling on the way will be what's difficult to adjust to. If she finds a book she likes, all she has to do is explain that she is this new babies mommy and so talking about mommy and daddy is still accurate and appropriate.

Hi L.,

If you or your sister are crafty, you could make a scrapbook. I had a similar problem with all the baby books saying mommy and daddy. I was divorced at the time and didn't think my son would want to read about how mommy met daddy and when they got married, etc. I have had so much fun making my own baby book. You can get the already made versions that you add pictures and your own journaling to or make one from scratch. Tell your sister congratulations!

M.

Write one.

They cost about 15 to print out at WalMart and you can put family pictures and stuff in along with pages of text, if I understand correctly.