I babysit for two children that live next door. They're both girls ages 3 and 5. The children's mother is currently pregnant with another child and I was asked to break the news to the children. (They made it clear that I didn't have to!) But I accepted the job and broke the news to the girls by explaining that in a few months, they would be having another sister, and right now she is in mummy's tummy.
The Oldest was ecstatic and happy to get another sister, but the youngest was shocked. Despite plenty of consolation from the oldest, she immediately asked where babies come from, why she needed another sister, etc, before breaking down into tears and hugging her blanket.
The Oldest asked for some mac n cheese but the youngest still wouldn't speak to me throughout dinner. When her parents came home, she also gave the silent treatment to her mother, and the only one she'll currently speak to is her sister and father. I've baby-sat for that family twice since then and she hasn't spoken to me or her mother the whole time. I understand its normal for a child to have a rash reaction like this (I did!) but certainly not to this extent and this is pushing the boundaries of what I consider being normal.
I'm researching some books on the subject, and although I do expect her to come around when the baby arrives (3-4mo) I do miss the discussions we used to have.
Is this behavior normal? What can I do to ease her into the idea of being a middle child?