When and How did you tell your existing children about your new pregnancy?

Question

my children are nearly 3 (a boy) and 5 1/2 (a girl) and we don't know when to tell them and how to tell them I am pregnant.
I had a scan on monday which puts me at 7wks 4days today (or 8wks today by LMP) so when do you think is the right time and how would you do it???

BTW, both our families don't know yet either, only mine and my husband's best friends know so far.

Answer 1

When I was pregnant with my second child I told my daughter when I was around 4 months along.
I just told her that Mummy was pregnant and soon we'd have a little brother or sister for her to help look after and play with. She was about 19/20 months at the time.

This time we were trying to keep it a secret but I had to take our youngest (4yrs) to the dating ultrasound, as soon as the image of the baby was on the monitor she turned to my friend and said "that's the baby in my mum's belly".So she figured it out herself. After we picked up my oldest from school I let her little sister tell her and show her the ultrasound picture. She just turned and asked me if I was pregnant and I said yes and then she bacame hysterical with excitement.

I'd wait another month or so personally. Then just sit your kids down and tell them. Both are old enough to understand what is going on. Your son may need more of an explanation so be prepared with photo's of him and his sister as babies, books about becoming a big brother, and pictures/illustrations of fetus's so you can show him how big the baby would be at what week etc. My daughter loved this when I was pregnant with her sister and they both love looking it up now to see how big the baby is this week. I found a great book today tittled "Whats in your tummy Mummy" sorry I didnt get the name of the author, but it had great illustrations of how big the fetus is at what week as well answering basic questions little ones have about the baby. It was so cool.
Apart from that just be all excited and get them all excited about it.
Best of Luck to you.

Answer 2

First off, don't tell them until you are ok with everyone else knowing. You know kids and their big mouths lol

I told my kids when I was usually about 4 months along. I got them a special gift "from the baby" and then told them. I answered any questions if they had any. My kids always got excited to hear they were gonna be big brothers and/or sisters.

ETA: The reason I waited til about 4 months, then the risk of miscarriage is lower in case the other children get "attached" to the baby.

Answer 3

Personally, I'm trying to wait until I'm 4 months until I tell my child. I don't want him to get attached until I know everything looks ok. I'm trying to keep it under wraps until then as far as telling everyone else too - only my husband, a sister and a good friend know. I plan on telling him simply, on no special occasion. Christmas etc is not a time for something like that - what if he were to have negative feelings about future sharing of mom?

Answer 4

You just say mommy is having a baby. There not really going to understand what i did with my son he is 3 now but he 2 when i got pregnant with my second son i just said mommy has baby in her tummy and he took it fine. And 7 month later he loves his baby brother. Well you know what would be fun if you told both of your parents on Christmas that will be there gift

Answer 5

Aww thats so cute. Umm, your probably right about telling them now. It would probably make your happiness go through the roof. It's always a blessing to have a brother and sister(tell them that if they protest) lol