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Congratulations on having another baby! A baby, no matter if it’s your first or fifth, is always something worth celebrating. And finding out that you’re pregnant is exciting, especially if you and your partner have been trying to add to the family for some time. But speaking of the younger members of the family, they may not be as excited about the news as you are. This may be because they are scared of being replaced or just too young to understand what it all means and are more concerned with airplanes at the moment. Whatever the scenario may be, there’s no denying that there is a way to sit your kids down and tell them that things are about to change. But figuring out when and how to tell your kids about the arrival of their new sibling can be tricky. And while every child and family is different, here are some tips on how to break the news to your tiny tots. We hope this gives you some clarity on what topics to avoid and how to navigate around hard conversations regarding the pregnancy with your kids.
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While you might be tempted to tell your kids the good news right after your test results come back as positive, take a step back and try to contain your excitement. You need to consider some important factors like age, maturity and the developmental level of your child. After all, little kids are known for blurting out things they shouldn’t, so if you want to keep a low profile until your second trimester, it is probably best to not tell your little one until you’re ready to tell everyone else. If you’re worried about them catching onto symptoms like morning sickness and tiredness, just tell them that you are not feeling well but are getting better.
If your child is a toddler, the concept of pregnancy and siblings can go over their head. It might be better to start out with a book or stuffed animals that they are familiar with to discuss how there is going to be a new addition to the family. You can explain how their stuffed animal got a baby stuffed animal and how the same is happening in their family. Or get them a book that simplifies the concept of having a younger sibling. For older school going children, you may not need physical aids to help them understand your pregnancy but be prepared to answer questions about how the baby got in your belly on a basic level at least.
How To Tell The Kids You’re Pregnant
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Keep It Simple
The best thing you can do for your kids is to keep it simple. Now we know that you’ve seen many videos of parents videoing their kids opening presents and clues to figure out that they are going to be siblings. But don’t feel the need to do this. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just tell them the news or make the present as easy to decipher as possible. Otherwise it will only leave your kids frustrated and in a bad mood to receive the good news.
Make It Easy
Make the conversation short and sweet when you first tell your kids the news. Many parents want to have a long and detailed conversation about all the changes that this new addition to the family will bring but now is not the time. Make the news easy for your kids to digest. After all, you have months ahead of you to explain the nuances to your kids.
Speak From Your Child’s Point Of View
Another great thing to do to establish a bond between your child and their unborn sibling from the get go is to show them how close their relationship is going to be. You can do this from the very start when you deliver the pregnancy news to them. Instead of saying “I’m having a baby” , try saying “You’re going to be an older brother or sister”. This will get them excited and help them feel involved in the process from the time they learn of the baby’s existence.
Ask If They Have Questions
If there’s one thing we know it’s that your kid is going to have a lot of questions about the new baby and the pregnancy. So make time to sit down with them and answer their queries so that you can put their minds at ease.
Being pregnant again can be beautiful and scary, especially if you’re concerned about how your other kids are going to take the news. But give your little ones time to adjust to this big change. Soon you’ll be one happy family.
