Experienced mums, when and how do you plan to tell your kids?

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt

Our kids are 9 and 5 and have been asking for another sibling for years. Our son (oldest) is absolutely baby crazy and always has been. We are planning to tell them once we know the sex so that we can just introduce the new sibling by their name. We don't know how we will tell them yet, but we want to make it fun. 

How and when are you guys planning to tell?

sweetlyuntied

My DD is still a little too young to get it. But she has a baby doll and I've been trying to incorporate her more into play - having her give the baby "pat pats" or rock her, etc. She'll be a little over 2 when the baby is born so I think I'll just try to "keep the conversation" open between now and then. It's crazy to think about how much "older" she'll be in November!

hippiegirl884

We told the boys the other night. They kinda just looked at us, said yay!, and promptly ignored us again. But they are 4&3. Once the bump starts showing I'm sure there will be more questions lol

talkthewholetime

My DD is younger, she'll be 2.5 when this baby comes. We aren't telling her until we tell the general public (probably 12 weeks) - first because she talks a LOT, and second because I don't want her saying "mommy, baby, tummy!" if something goes wrong. Even then I'm not going to talk it up much until it gets closer- I think it's a super abstract thing for a kid her age. We're having a baby? OK where is it?

hellopartyof5

DS is only 15 mos (on March 1st) so I probably won't really talk about it with him until I'm showing. He definitely wouldn't get it yet, but I like the idea of incorporating a doll. 

talkthewholetime

nauticallife said:

DS is only 15 mos (on March 1st) so I probably won't really talk about it with him until I'm showing. He definitely wouldn't get it yet, but I like the idea of incorporating a doll. 

Get him the Stella Fella! We LOVE our baby stella(s) and their accessories! I sent one to my friend's son when she was pregnant and he was a hit

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt

I have a book recommendation for you guys. When we were preparing our son for the arrival of our daughter (they are 3y10m apart) we LOVED the Rachel Fuller books. Waiting for Baby, My New Baby, and You and Me. They are written for toddlers, but I think would work even up to nearly five or so. 

hellopartyof5

talkthewholetime said:

nauticallife said:

DS is only 15 mos (on March 1st) so I probably won't really talk about it with him until I'm showing. He definitely wouldn't get it yet, but I like the idea of incorporating a doll. 

Get him the Stella Fella! We LOVE our baby stella(s) and their accessories! I sent one to my friend's son when she was pregnant and he was a hit

Oooo just saw on Amazon. Totally getting it! Thanks! 

spacepotatoes

talkthewholetime said:

My DD is younger, she'll be 2.5 when this baby comes. We aren't telling her until we tell the general public (probably 12 weeks) - first because she talks a LOT, and second because I don't want her saying "mommy, baby, tummy!" if something goes wrong. Even then I'm not going to talk it up much until it gets closer- I think it's a super abstract thing for a kid her age. We're having a baby? OK where is it?

This is kind of my thinking too. We're holding off on saying anything around her until we tell our parents, just in case she repeats something. After that, it's not a huge deal if she picks up something but we won't actually explain it to her or make a thing of it until she can understand it a little better.

KS070508

We're waiting a while before we tell DD (3 1/2).  She wants a sib SO badly that we want to wait until we're "out of the woods" before we tell her!

banfrog

There was no telling my kids. DS1 told me the day I got my BFP that I have a baby sister for him in my belly and that he's coming with me to my doctor appointments to hear the baby's heartbeat. He's 4 (almost 5), DH and I were super careful not to say anything around him. Mind you, with the last baby he knew I was pregnant before I did (and knew gender too!).

TrulyBlessed22

Basically what @talkthewholetime said.  DD will be 3 this May and so she is talking lots and like any toddler has no filter so we won't be telling her until we've shared the happy news with others. Otherwise she WILL tell for us lol.  Also, I agree that she won't really get it unless there is a baby bum for her to look at and touch. 

@kilgravemademedoit thanks for the suggestion!

@banfrog have totally heard others share similar stories, some kids just have the intuition.

carlatron

We won't say anything to him till we're ready to tell everyone else, which won't be until I can't hide it anymore. So likely around 5 months. I'll just tell him straight up. He's 4, he'll be excited but not really care too much until baby arrives.

HockeyWife4Life

We plan to wait to tell DD (6) and DS (5) until I've had my first appointment, so around 10-12 weeks. We will tell them first and then our families. 

JesseeG

Thanks for the tip @KilgraveMadeMeDoIt My daughter is 3 and I was researching books because she understands new concepts so much better through stories