You’ve got BIG NEWS! You’re expecting… and you can’t wait for the world to know about it.
But what if you have other children? When and how should you let them in on the big secret?
On the one hand, you want to be sure they hear it from you first…so you can frame the news in a positive light and answer any questions they might have.
On the other hand, you don’t want to spill the beans too early, until you know you have a viable pregnancy.
The general consensus on when and how to tell kids you’re pregnant is to wait until after the first trimester, when your pregnancy is well established and the risk of miscarriage is lower.
Parents who’ve share their pregnancy news early on, then had to have the heartbreaking miscarriage conversation with their kids later, usually wish they’d waited.
Some parents also choose to wait until after they receive the results of any prenatal screening tests.
Deciding When To Tell The Kids About Baby
Timing is everything! And making a pregnancy announcement is no exception.
If you’re wondering when to share pregnancy news with your children, here’s a couple of things you want to consider.
Your Child’s Age
If your kids are younger, it may make sense to hold off until you start to show.
It makes it easier to explain the concept of a baby growing inside your tummy. Little ones will get a clear visual of what you’re talking about.
RELATED: When And How To Tell Your Boss You’re Pregnant
Older kids, who already understand the fundamentals of pregnancy, can be told before your bump is visible.
If you have multiple children, however, you probably want to tell them all at once to avoid anyone feeling left out.
When You Tell Friends & Family
Kids are terrible at keeping secrets!
So don’t tell your little ones about the new baby before you’re ready to tell the rest of the world. They’ll likely to spill the beans.
RELATED: Memorable And Fun Ways To Announce Pregnancy To Family
The reverse is also true. Don’t tell friends and family before you tell your kids.
Your children might get confused if they hear people congratulating you or if they’re asked about being a big brother or sister.
It’s best to time the announcements as close together as possible.
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How To Tell Kids You’re Pregnant
Once you’re finally ready to tell the kids, think about how you want to approach them.
Here’s some tips for making the conversation go more smoothly.
Picking A Time and Place
Now that you’ve green-lighted operation baby news, it’s time to figure out how to tell kids you’re pregnant. You’ve got to decide when and where to have the talk.
Ideally, you want to pick a time when your kids aren’t tired, cranky, or stressed. A well-rested, content child will handle the news better than a overstimulated one.
RELATED: Cool And Creative Ways To Announce Pregnancy
Choose a place where your kids are comfortable. Make sure you don’t have any other plans, so you can focus your attention solely on them.
Your kids may worry they won’t be “special” anymore. That’s totally normal.
Be prepared for this and ready to address any fears they might have. It’s a good idea to have both parents present, if possible.
Conversation Starters
There are some great tools and resources that can help make the conversation go more smoothly such as dolls, videos, books, etc..
Here’s a couple of creative ways to let the kids in on the big news:
1. Take Them To The Ultrasound:
You can let the kids see the first “picture” of their baby brother/sister and remind them that they were once that tiny too.
2. Give Them A Letter or Gift From The Baby:
Give your kids a letter or gift from the new baby.
Have them unwrap a “big sister” or “big brother” shirt and let them know it’s going to be them!
You can also have the baby write a nice note explaining how excited they are to meet their new siblings in a few months.
3. Read A Book Together:
There are lots of great stories about families welcoming new siblings like Peter’s Chair, one of our favorites.
Read a book like this aloud with your child to get the conversation started.
At the end of the day, you know your kids better than anyone. Which means you’ll know best when and how to tell kids you’re pregnant.
Pick the timing that works for your family and deliver the message with love. Your kids will be as excited about the new baby as you are!
To Check Out: The New Baby by Mercer Mayer
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