ABSTRACT
My little boy will be three and a half when a second child arrives in the autumn. I’m afraid he may feel the change in the family life rather acutely as he has been so much alone with me. His father is away all day, and it is only recently that we have even had a maid with us, except in the mornings, so that he is rather a “imimmie’s boy”. However, he thinks babies are dear little things, and is pleased that we are going to have one of our own. He says he is going to help bath it and dress it. He asked me a great many questions about where it was coming from, so I have explained a good deal of this. What is really worrying me is that I have to go to a nursing home for the event and I am afraid that W. willbe very upset at my leaving him. His Granny and the maid, with both of whom he is quite happy, will be here to look after him. He is used to being left with Granny for an afternoon occasionally; but if he knew I was not coming back at bedtime he would be very distressed. Would it be best to say nothing about not coming back that day, and leave him to get used to it gradually? I thought of leaving a parcel with a new toy in it to distract his attention when he first begins to worry about my absence. What would be the best attitude for his Granny and father to adopt if he keeps on asking for me? I thought of telling him that I have to go to a nursing home for the baby to be born because it will be so little at first and will need a doctor and nurse to look after it, but that very soon it will be strong enough for us to look after ourselves. Would it be a good idea for him to have a photo of me in the nursery while I am away and for me to write him little post-cards from time to time, or would it be better for him not to be reminded of me? I intend to come home as soon as I can get up—at a fortnight, I 223hope, and have a nurse in the house for a week or two. I imagine that a child must not be allowed to think that the baby has made his mother ill? But as lam bound to spend the mornings in bed at first, would it be all right to explain that mothers are a little tired after growing a baby?
