How do you tell your 4 year old daughter you're going to have another baby?

Question

How do you tell your 4 year old daughter you're going to have another baby?

Answer 1

"you are going to be a big sister"! then you start reading her books on the subject. good luck!

Answer 2

Just the way you told us!
Four year olds love their dolls and teddy bears.
So when you are sitting down, talking or playing together,
ask some questions, whether playful or genuine.
Does she know of a friend with a new brother or sister?
When she rocks her teddy and sings to him,
does she ever wish she could be rocking
and singing to a real baby?
Mommy wishes she had a brother or sister to love.
(Marking a year by its birthdays, 1/2 birthdays and holidays)
You can say there is a baby growing in you.
When you're 4 1/2, after Christmas the baby
brother or sister will be coming.
When you lay out baby clothes or go to the store,
consider preparing clothing for your child's doll as well.
Soon you'll see her walking around with a Teddy stuck
under her shirt, wanting to be a "little mommy" too.
Talk and read each week of new babies, animal babies,
and of brothers and sisters. No need to make it a daily
thing. Do give lots of hugs and let her know she could never
be replaced, that your heart and hers will have room to love
another new person in your family. This is also a great
teaching moment about God's love and his son, Jesus
born on Christmas who loves her dearly. Around Christmas
you can get out a Nativity set and talk about Mary having a Baby. As your daughter arranges and playes with the Nativity this can also be an expression of a child's excitement and anticipation of a birth coming soon.
So, when your time draws close, in the last month and you get out the rocking chair, get out a child's rocker too. So you can both sit and rock and read together. Nursing time is also a natural time to nurture and read to your older daughter, and to let her know she will always be close to your heart. And as you do, set within her that one day when she is grown and married, see will be a good mommy too, and will love and rock her babies just like you.

Answer 3

Tell her that you are having a baby and turn it more into a "you are going to be a big sister" thing. Watch tv shows and read books about kids whos moms are pregnant. Let her ask questions and give her definite and secure answers. Let her know that you will still love her just as much as you do now and that you have enough love for another child to be in your family. Have the initial talk about it with her father or your significant other there also. Maybe even plan a party around telling her or do something special to celebrate her becoming a big sister. They have those t-shirts that say stuff like "I'm going to be a big sister" and other phrases that would make a kid feel like its a good and important thing.

Answer 4

Hi there,
I have taken my children to Doctors appointments and include them in everything. They picked cloths and bedding for the new arrival.

According to my almost 2yr old it is her bub, it's just in my tummy. She loves seeing the pictures of our bub.

This will be number 5 for me, due November. By including the older children they feel part of it and I have not had too many problems. Having said that can I interest you in a 14yr old??? Well maybe not.

Be honest and answer questions. Watch TV shows and documentaries. Read books there are some really good ones out there. Take your 4 yr old to see the ultrasound. Say things like this is your bub too and help her to understand it is not the end of the world as she knows it.

I also buy a present for my older children from the bub to say thanks for being my big brother/sister. I tell friends that if they are bringing a gift for the bub there had better be something for the older ones too. I try to make guests say hi to the older ones first and bub second.

It all helps. Good luck.

Answer 5

break it gently, it will be quite a big thing for her as she has had you all to herself for 4 years, try to involve her in everything, let her know how checkups have gone,how big the baby will be at 12 weeks, 20 weeks etc, the scan choosing a name, etc. Then, when the baby is born, buy her a little present, saying it is from new baby, for being such a good big sister. She may be a little naughty for a few days, just for the attention, when I had my second, my eldest was 16 months and it was hard to get the balance of attention right, but I managed it, and my eldest helped alot with bottles and nappy changing etc. good luck and enjoy your pregnancy! x

Answer 6

It's a bit hard for me to answer this question because I don't know if the new baby is going to be from your marriage, boyfriend or someone new.

I think its ok to directly tell her that she is going to have a sister or a brother.

Answer 7

Ask them how they feel about having a brother and sister and then go from there. If they are okay with it then explain to them that they have one on the way and that they will be able to love and play with someone new. If they dont then you have some work on your hands. I am a nanny and most of the children are excited about having a playmate.

Answer 8

However you do it....dont do it like my parents did.
I had two older brothers, six and seven years older than me, ....
when my mother was preggo with me, my father told my brothers that mommy was gonna have a pony.
This sounds funny, but my brothers were very disappointed when I was born and was 'just a girl'.
Not cool to set kids up for disappointment.

Answer 9

Tell her that she is gonna get a sibling to play with, and she would be an elder sister soon.

The one thing that most kids are looking for is companionship and FUN.

Answer 10

You just tell her, honey your going to have a brother/sister. She's going to find out either way lol. Just don't tell her the new baby will get more attention, even though s/he will.