Hand to Hold believes that the premature birth of a baby, a baby born with special health care needs or the loss of a baby due to these and other complications affects the lives of all family members. Like parents, siblings need support, encouragement and information to navigate through some of life’s most challenging circumstances. The sibling relationship is unique, being viewed by many as the most influential and longest lasting relationship in the family unit.
Hand to Hold recognizes the need to increase support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters. The goal of the sibling support program is not only to support siblings but also to increase the understanding of sibling issues by parents, health care providers and the community at-large.
Support Now Available
- You can request a peer match with another family who has faced issues with supporting the unique needs of siblings.
- Hand to Hold has reviewed select children’s books that can useful when talking to a sibling about a brother or sister who has come early, who has passed away or has special health care needs.
- Follow the latest developments on our Siblings Soar blog.
- If your baby is still in the NICU, bring your sibling to the next Sibling Sundaes event so they can learn more about their baby brother or sister.
- Of course, you can call Hand to Hold at any time for advice, resources and support from a parent who has shared your situation.
Upcoming & Past Events
Sibling Sundaes -
Having your little brothers and sisters in the NICU can make life a little rough! Kids need support as much as parents do!
Come Join Hand to Hold for Sibling Sundaes
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
FROM 2:00 TO 3:00 PM
IN THE NICU – CLASSROOM 2 EAST
ST. DAVID’S WOMEN’S CENTER OF TEXAS 12221 N. MOPAC EXPWY.
Have a healthy sibling whose baby brother or sister is in the NICU? Bring them to Hand to Hold’s Sibling Sundaes. Siblings will enjoy ice cream sponsored by Blue Bell Ice Cream and a full-program of family-centered activities. Siblings learn about why babies are in the NICU, see first-hand the medical equipment used to keep babies in the NICU healthy and safe, are taught how to keep germs away from babies, and create a special craft for their own baby sister or brother. Please to Erika Goyer or call 512-550-3181 or toll-free 855-424-6428 ext. 1 to find out more about this program!
(Click here for a sample flyer.)
Sibling Sundaes - February 18, 2012
Families with a baby in the NICU brought big brothers and sisters to Hand to Hold’s Sibling Sundaes, February 18, 2012. Sibs enjoyed ice cream sponsored by Blue Bell Ice Cream and a full-program of family-centered and educational activities. Siblings learned why babies are in the NICU, saw first-hand the medical equipment used to keep babies in the NICU healthy and safe, taught them how to keep germs away from babies and created a special craft for their own baby sister or brother.
Sibling Sundaes - January 28, 2012
Families who have had a baby in the NICU brought big brothers and sisters to Hand to Hold’s Sibling Sundaes, January 28, 2012. The event was formerly known as Ice Cream & Isolettes. Sibs enjoyed ice cream sponsored by Blue Bell Ice Cream and a full-program of family-centered and educational activities. Siblings learned why babies are in the NICU, saw first-hand the medical equipment used to keep babies in the NICU healthy and safe, taught them how to keep germs away from babies and created a special craft for their own baby sister or brother.
Ice Cream & Isolettes – July 30, 2011
Have a healthy sibling whose baby brother or sister is in the NICU? Bring them to Hand to Hold’s first installment of Ice Cream & Isolettes on Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 3-4 p.m. a St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. We’ll be meeting in the Post-Partum Classroom in NICU-2 East. Siblings will enjoy ice cream sponsored by Blue Bell Ice Cream and a full-program. Siblings will learn about why babies are in the NICU, see first-hand the medical equipment used to keep babies in the NICU healthy and safe, how to keep germs away from babies, and create a special craft for their own baby sister or brother.
Quarterly Discussion Series – May 15, 2011
Hand to Hold will host a Discussion Series with a group of panelists who will discuss the unique issues that siblings in families of children with special health care needs face and how we as parents can support the needs of all of our children. Held May 15th from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church (3003 Northland Dr., Austin, Texas), the free event is open to the public. Read more about the panelists who will be attending and more details.
Sibling Celebration – April 10, 2011
Hand to Hold launched its new Sibling Support Program at a very successful Sibling Celebration held April 10, 2011. Hand to Hold and local families celebrated brothers and sisters of children with special health and developmental needs and in recognition of the unique challenges siblings face as a result of these experiences. Families enjoyed music, ice cream sundaes and a story on Sunday, April 10 from 2-4 p.m. at Cups & Cones located at 2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd in Austin, Texas. Download the flier and enjoy photos and a writeup about the celebration.
Learn more
For more information and to get involved, contact Erika Goyer at erika [at] handtohold [dot] org
This is such a great project! Keep us posted!