OK. So I asked this question of the experts myself since my four-year-old will get a baby brother or sister this summer. Thank you to Melissa Johnson, PhD, a WakeMed Clinical Psychologist on the hospital's Pediatric Development Team, for answering this one.

The question: How can I prepare my four-year-old for the birth of a new sibling this summer?

The answer: Congratulations on your second baby! Every age has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of adding a new brother or sister, but in general, parents of four-year-olds have some advantages.

Children this age typically are active and enthusiastic, and look forward to new experiences. They also have sufficient language to be able to understand concepts involved in a new arrival, such as the timing of the birth, the fact that little babies can't do much at first, and that big brothers and sisters are very important people indeed.

On the other hand, four-year-olds tend to assume that they are the center of the universe to some extent, and will probably express some resentment or annoyance at the arrival of someone who might share that position!

Involving the child in happy preparations, including helping with tasks such as folding baby clothes and coming up with ideas for names, help reinforce that everyone has a role and nobody is going to lose their place in the family. Take advantage of the fact that four-year-olds usually love being read and seek out story books for expectant big siblings. Your child may want to hear the story over and over, which will give him or her a chance to rehearse and adjust to the idea of a new baby.

In addition, your child might enjoy participating in a sibling class at your local hospital. For example, WakeMed offers a special class with age-appropriate materials and instruction for children ages 3 to 10. They tour the Women’s Pavilion & Birthplace - Raleigh or Cary and then participate in a discussion about what they can expect from a newborn. Each child will also makes a simple toy for their new sibling. All of these are excellent ways to make sure your four-year-old feels included in the process.

A note from me (Sarah): I can highly recommend "What to Expect When Mommy's Having a Baby" by Heidi Murkoff of "What to Expect ..." fame. I gave this book to my daughter at the same time we told her we were having another one and she's pretty much got it memorized by now. We read our own abridged version of some of the pages (like the one about how babies are made), but it really has answered a lot of the questions she's had and has been really helpful for all of us. Just the page with illustrations of a pregnant belly at various stages is worth it. My daughter loves pointing at the stage I'm at and then talking ... at length ... about how big it will get.