If you already have a child..

futuremrstarter

When will you tell them about their sibling on the way? DH wants to tell him soon but I'm a tad worried that something will happen and it will break his heart.

Ashgal

I have 2 boys. I don't plan to tell them until after I tell all our family and friends. I am afraid the boys would say something to someone if I told them sooner and I don't want the whole world to know just yet.

LRL131

We have a son who is 13 months old now, will be about 21/22 months when the second baby is born. Right now, he wouldn't understand. When he gets a little older, we will probably talk about baby and the baby that is in mommy's tummy. When we decide on a name down the line, we will probably refer to the baby by name. Otherwise, I'm not sure what else we will do since he will be pretty young.

I would love to hear from any others who have gone through this with similarly aged siblings before!

gtbride&groom

My twin girls are two and half. We have them say a little prayer. It started out as "dear God, please put a baby in mommy's tummy" and now it's "thank you for the baby in mommy's tummy." Our nanny had a kid a year ago so they get the idea of a baby. I just hope they don't think that this baby will go home with the nanny once it's here

Ashgal

@LRL131  I don't even remember when we first told DS#1 about DS#2. But we did tell him all about his brother in my tummy, let him talk to my tummy, and feel him kicking and moving. Once we picked out DS#2's name, we did encourage DS#1 to refer to his brother by name. I still don't think it really hit him until his brother was born though. At that young of an age they need something tangible and right in front of them.

LRL131

Ashgal said:

@LRL131  I don't even remember when we first told DS#1 about DS#2. But we did tell him all about his brother in my tummy, let him talk to my tummy, and feel him kicking and moving. Once we picked out DS#2's name, we did encourage DS#1 to refer to his brother by name. I still don't think it really hit him until his brother was born though. At that young of an age they need something tangible and right in front of them.

Thanks! That's kind of what I was thinking we would do, but with this being the first time around with this scenario, its always good to hear some others' experiences!

motang

I won't tell my 2 1/2 year old until I don't care if she tells other people, so that won't be until second trimester. My 14 month old probably won't understand, but we will talk about it once I'm much further along and showing.

SayAnything84

My son is turning 2 next month, I doubt he would 'get it' even if we told him now.

kcrouse06

DH really wants to tell DS, but I just think it's a tad early yet. I think we will wait and tell him right before we tell our families. I'd like to get him one of the "big brother" shirts and just put it on him during his birthday party to see if anyone notices.

mhickey426

Audrey1787 said:

I've said things to her but she's 1 and just likes that I'm saying things in an excited way lol. If she was older I would wait. Maybe. It's hard to know for sure.

I agree. My dd is 16mo so she really doesn't understand. She will be 2 when the baby is born so I will talk more about it to help her get use to the idea when it gets closer to me giving birth

rlpointer

My daughter is 21 months and she doesn't completely understand. We are moving her to a bigger room from her current room which will be the nursery in December before the baby comes so she doesn't feel like she is getting kicked out. As we get to that point, we will start talking about the baby and calling him/her by name, but I'm not sure how much she'll understand until the baby is actually here. 

preggersINschool25

My son is 2.5 years and likely has a intellectual disability, but I still tell him there is a baby in mommies belly. He has touched my belly before I was pregnant too but now I use that time to tell him. I'll still tell him things tho he's unlikely to understand at all.

futuremrstarter

My son is 5 and a half and has friends with siblings. We just vacationed with his best friend and their family, which includes a 9-month-old. He's been asking about a sibling for about 6 months and has been drawing pictures of him and his "brother" at daycare. I know he'll understand and be excited. We were planning to tell our parents this weekend and my husband would like to include him. I can't wait to see his reaction, but at the same time I'm nervous too.

Megispreg

I've talked a little bit about it. I asked her if she wanted a baby brother or sister, and she said "NO." Lol.

TRobRN

DD is 18mo, so she doesn't really understand it yet. She loves her babies and carries then everywhere. We pray every night with her about her brother or sister to come and that they grow healthy and strong in mommy's belly. She probably won't get it until I have the baby.

milfette

Were taking our 9yo son out tomorrow and getting him a new custom big brother shirt. Then were going to my parents house because we just don't wanna keep it a secret.

hiskindofcrazy

I have a 4 1/2 year old son and told him he was going to be a big brother , he is excited but I don't think he fully understands . I asked if he would like a brother or a sister and he says both 1 brother and 1 sister which is funny he says that because twins run in both DH & i's families , maybe he will get his wish (:

notquiteblushing

LRL131 said:

We have a son who is 13 months old now, will be about 21/22 months when the second baby is born. Right now, he wouldn't understand. When he gets a little older, we will probably talk about baby and the baby that is in mommy's tummy. When we decide on a name down the line, we will probably refer to the baby by name. Otherwise, I'm not sure what else we will do since he will be pretty young.

I would love to hear from any others who have gone through this with similarly aged siblings before!

My son is fourteen months.  We told him this morning he was going to be a big brother but I am pretty sure he has no idea what that means.  He DOES notice things that are different so in a few months time I am sure he will notice my belly and maybe we can go from there.  Maybe a book would help.  IIRC my sister's kids were 22 months apart and the oldest didn't really grasp the big sister concept until #2 came home.

CKL2414

We have a 2.5yo son and I asked him about 3 days ago.."do you know what's in mommy's tummy"? He answered "baby sister"!

We had told him nothing. Which was really neat and a little scary at the same time!
I am hoping he's right! DH is trying to convince him it's a baby brother
I ask him every night before bed and we talk about how he can help take care of her/him. If something happens we will talk about Heaven and how h/she will wait there for him.

ElizabethSwann

I've told him. He farted. Lol he doesn't understand yet.

BLPL101

I already told my DD, but she's 19 months and has no idea what I'm talking about LOL

I pray with her every night and always mention the baby.

Baileybaby2010

My DD is 2 and I've mentioned it but she could care less right now, lol. I think we'll watch Mommy's belly grow and talk about it more as time goes on God willing:-)

ejeh4

We aren't telling our kids until we are ready to tell friends and family, probably at the end of the 1st trimester. They are 4 and 2 and will definitely spill the beans for us

topaz7777

DD just turned 2, she is running around saying "um, baby in mommy's belly!"

mamabec

My 2 year old won't understand but my almost 4 year old will and we are waiting until the second trimester to tell her. She would be so confused and upset if something happened.

hdp61813

We are waiting to tell our sons until the end of the 1st trimester when the risks are not as high.

hdp61813

I don't blame yall for telling. It's such exciting news and you kind of want to shout it from the mountain top. How is it having three kiddos? I have two boys and I'm curious to know the dynamics when adding another in the mix.

hdp61813

Thanks so much! I've heard it is hard to balance your time more after the 3rd. Hubby and I do date nights at home, movie after the kiddos go to bed. We try to stay frugal with money so it's a cheaper alternative to stay in and watch something.

3rd labor easier or harder? I had an epidural with DS#1 and 14 hours of labor. DS#2 was all natural and only 12 hours. I'm hoping for even less laboring time and will be going natural again.

hdp61813

Haha I will definitely keep that in mind. Note to self..do not get cocky about a potential easy birth.