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[THREAD] There are lots of caretaker tips out there online, but many fewer listed for big siblings, so I'm going to accumulate an ongoing list of tips and tricks for making little siblings and friends feel littler when you're in kiddo mode yourself!
Big sibling trick #1: Gently rest your chin on top of your little sibling's head. If you need to stand up on your tippy-toes to make it happen, so be it!
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Big sibling trick #2: Help your little siblings get dressed, even if they don't need it. You don't need to feel that big to be a great helper and make your little siblings feel special!
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Big sibling trick #3: Whenever you are sitting, your lap is always, always a seating option for your little siblings! Make this clear to them either verbally or non-verbally.
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Big sibling trick #5: It's rarely a lousy time to give your little siblings their comfort objects, whether they're plushies, blankets, pacifiers, toys, clothing items, accessories, etc.
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Big sibling trick #6: When in doubt, smother little siblings with affection. This can be through physical gestures and reminders of how much you LOVE them! Babies thrive off positive reinforcement!
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Big sibling trick #7: If something makes you feel little, it's a guarantee that it can make somebody else feel little, too. Take note and try out what people have done to make you feel special and loved. As long as you respect personal boundaries, anything is fair game!
Big sibling trick #8: When serving beverages to little siblings, it's fun to serve them in bottles by default. This leaves little siblings the choice to either speak up about how they don't need a bottle or to just sit back and enjoy. Either result is harmless fun~
Big sibling trick #9: Making others feel little and special does NOT require you to assert how big you are. Calling yourself big can even work to your detriment because it unnecessarily draws more attention to yourself. Don't call yourself big; act like it.
Big sibling trick #10: Some (NOT ALL) littles claim that they're big because they want to be put in their place and treated like babies. If your little siblings do this, do not be swayed and remember that you know their buttons and just the kind of treatment they enjoy.
Big Sibling trick #11: Be a true friend to your little siblings. If you're not a caring friend first, your relationship will likely be lacking. You won't get the warm feelings of a genuine big sibling relationship unless you offer a shoulder to lean on and earn their trust.
Big sibling trick #12: Trust is precious. To most, being little around others involves making themselves vulnerable, which requires trust. Personal and embarrassing moments MUST be kept private in order to maintain that trust. Forgoing this advice can literally end friendships.
Big sibling trick #13: People respond far more effectively to positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement. For that reason, it's possible to press buttons much more with positive reinforcement. Encouragement/praise works, so try that out instead of teasing for fun results!
Big sibling trick #14: It's sometimes ideal for big siblings to engage in very juvenile stuff to demonstrate that it's acceptable and encouraged for little ones. This can include babyish playfulness, using/wearing certain accessories/clothes, fully using your diapers and more.
Big sibling trick #15: If your little sibling just used their diaper, a fun question to ask is "Are you all done?" Regardless of whether they're finished going potty or not, this often pushes buttons.
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Big sibling trick #16: Try sincerely emphasizing the things for which you admire your little siblings. It's a great, fun way to encourage kiddos to be on their best behavior and even turn cheeks red!
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Big sibling trick #17: Little feelings often fluctuate based on time of day. Try babying and/or teasing your little siblings at many different times of the day to find out which are most effective! I especially recommend first thing in the morning and immediately before bed.
Big sibling trick #19: Tell your little siblings you'll do embarrassing things to them and immediately ask them to come closer. Enjoy watching them wiggle from the conflicted feelings! These embarrassing things can be cheek pinches, kisses, diaper checks, tummy raspberries, etc.
Big sibling trick #20: If you're comfortable being called a baby, embrace it in order to have some fun! When your little siblings call you little while also acknowledging you're bigger, they're effectively calling themselves even littler. Let them call you tiny! For example:
Big sibling trick #21: Try using lots of cutesy nicknames on little siblings to figure out which ones press their buttons most. Pay close attention to reactions because they indicate effectiveness!
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Big sibling trick #22: Changing diapers can be tricky, especially placing tapes and fitting. If your sibling helps you place the tapes just right, affectionately praise them for being so helpful!
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