How To Tell My Parents

ARAvery

Hi all!

So my parents are on vacation and I just found out yesterday that I am expecting.  Of course my husband knows, but we are debating how to tell our families.  

We are not far along (4 weeks), but even still, I would like our parents (and immediate families) to know, because if anything happens in the 1st trimester, we would rather have their support and understanding.

Here's the thing: we are very close with my parents, and they are on vacation for the next three weeks.  My in-laws are in town, so they will get to have the face-to-face reveal.  Should we wait to tell my parents (and therefore wait to also tell his parents)?  I thought about sending a personalized bib or something to them while they are on vacation that says "Nana & Papa love me!", which I think would be so fun, but I'm not sure if it would sort of put a wrench in their vacation (not at ALL because they'd be disappointed, but because they'd want to be home).  Or, would they be more disappointed to find out that we knew for 3 weeks and kept it from them during every phone call?

It will be the first grandbaby for both sides.  Thoughts??

Thank you!!

Helenahhandbasket

You are probably not going to like my answer.

Just tell them on the phone.  Not everything has to be said in a cute and memorable way. (damn Pinterest). 

Why would they want to be home just because you are 4 weeks pregnant?  I could see them maybe not wanting to be away if you were about to deliver.  There's nothing they could do for you right now-- it's not like you have a big belly or anything to show off.  There will be plenty of time for them to fawn over you.

I understand the excitement surrounding a first GC-- really I do.  DD is the one and only. 

Really though-- just tell them.  They way you tell them won't make them any more or less excited to be grandparents-- I promise.

 

ARAvery

Haha, actually, I love your answer.  I have literally never been one to do "cutesy" things, so your answer is reassurance that those things - in the grand scheme of things - don't really make a difference.  'Damn Pinterest' is right - making me feel all sorts of lame when it comes to fun surprises lately .

Thank you for your honesty.  

Helenahhandbasket

ARAvery said:

Haha, actually, I love your answer.  I have literally never been one to do "cutesy" things, so your answer is reassurance that those things - in the grand scheme of things - don't really make a difference.  'Damn Pinterest' is right - making me feel all sorts of lame when it comes to fun surprises lately .

Thank you for your honesty.  

No problem!  You are cool

Congrats on the pregnancy!

GlitterMuffin914

I think you should see if you could do a facetime/skype video call with them. That way it'll feel more "in person" I don't think you have to wait for them to come home, and I also don't think they'll feel they should be home for you (sorry if that sounds harsher than I intended). In fact, that vacation will be one they always remember because of that news!

ARAvery

Thank you, everyone, for your great feedback!  And congratulations, Wolkie, on your pregnancy .

Squiddly

We waited until after our ultrasound at 10w3d to tell either set of parents. No one was upset we knew for 7 weeks before telling them. It may sound silly, but it was kind of nice having a little secret just between DH and me. Now I'm bursting at the seams to tell everyone, but back then it was kind of nice. Anyway, I think if you want to tell them right away it's okay to tell them while they're on vacation (on the phone is totally okay) or to wait if you decide that's what's right for you.

Mizoo

We waited until I was 7 weeks to tell family.  SO's parents just happened to be traveling through the city we live in to get to the airport for a vacation (we live 2.5 hours away) so we figured we would just tell them then.

We had just moved recently and they hadn't seen our new apartment, so when they came to visit SO gave them a tour of the place that ended in the kitchen with, "This is our kitchen, and this is our oven" He then opened the oven to reveal a hot dog bun sitting on the middle rack.  It took a second before his mom realized what we were trying to say but her reaction was priceless :-)

If they hadn't happened to be wandering through our city, we probably would have waited until Thanksgiving (13 weeks) or Christmas  (17 weeks) to tell them.  Just tell them whenever you feel comfortable doing so!  I can't imagine them being hurt that you didn't tell them immediately, but you know your family better than I do obviously :-)