Since Rosie is so toddler like, I have decided to handle bringing the new chicks in the same way I did with my older child when the younger was coming. We told my son the baby was his baby and he actually picked out my daughters middle name. It worked well bc instead of feeling left out, he felt important and was excited.
So I have told Rosie she is the baby chicks Mama. I told her the chicks have 4 Mamas, me, my daughter, Rosie and the Mama they will live with when they are big enough. It's funny, I wasn't sure she would get it. But she has. I have asked if she is their Mama and she nods yes vigorously. She lets me play with them on the floor while she monitors the babies from her stand. Which is huge, as Rosie is a very jealous girl.
But yesterday you could have knocked me over with a feather. Rosie never talks to herself and usually sits quietly on top of my shower while I get ready. Unless we are chatting or singing. So as I was getting ready in the bedroom I hear her chatting quietly in the bathroom. The chicks are now in a huge crate in a board on top of my tub.
Here is a pic of the setup - the back right side is their crate.
So sitting on the shower, she has a perfect view of them. Then I hear her say in her garbled way, "Are you a good girl?" Then OOOOOs and AAAAAAs. Just very sweet. I tried to get a video of it without her noticing. Please ignore the horrible camera work.
I just love my sweet red girl.