New baby, jealous sibling, grumpy cat.

Kagiso Msimango came up with innovative ways to prepare her firstborn for the arrival of a sibling. The cat, on the other hand, was a different story…

Thing 1 goes to a school with very interesting rituals and customs, like the festival held for John the Baptist, which involves walking around at night with lanterns and jumping over a bonfire. This festival occurs in the middle of winter, so the preschoolers get their own little fire to jump during the day so they don’t have to brave the biting cold at the official St. John’s festival.

The class teacher explained to Thing 1’s class that the kids with older siblings will probably come to the night festival with their families anyway, but if you don’t have any siblings in “big” school you didn’t have to come out in the cold.

That afternoon when I picked her up from school Thing 1 was testier than the Queen of Hearts. She’d misunderstood her teacher and thought that only kids with siblings could come to the night festival. This, of course, was my fault. I apologized and promised to work on a sibling for her right away. I was already pregnant. So Thing 1 is under the impression that I made Thing 2 especially for her.

Initially she was very grateful, but after the baby shower she became ambivalent. She wanted a sister, but she didn’t want to be the older one. We had to have lots of talks about all her insecurities leading up to the birth. Thing 1 is a girly girl who likes dolls, make up, jewelry, and worships Pink, so I bought her a fancy charm bracelet and matching ring which I presented to her when she came to see Thing 2 at the hospital. I told her that it came from the baby, who made it while she was still in heaven to show her big sister how very much she loves her. That seems to have done the trick.

The cat is another thing altogether. After spending the first few days trying to literally wedge himself between Thing 2 and I, he eventually accepted that I like her more. He now spends his days stalking me, waiting for me to walk up or down the stairs, which is when he’ll weave himself in and out, between my legs. I think he’s decided that if he can’t have me, no one can.

• We would love to hear how you prepared your kids for the arrival of a baby sibling. Share your story below.