How the Other Kids are Handling It

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt

I admit outright this is partly an AW post, but I also really do want to hear about how other kids are handling the news!

My oldest is the only one who knows and he's being amazing at keeping the secret from his sister. He's so excited to be part of surprising her with the news in a few more weeks. 

Every day day he asks me about the baby's growth and how I'm feeling. He's started a list of things to teach the baby - #1 is his favourite video game, #2 and 3 are walking and talking, haha - and he writes about the baby at school during writing assignments. I played the heartbeat (recorded a bit of the Doppler) and his eyes just went wide and he had a silly grin. 

This morning, my husband had to work which he doesn't usually do on Saturdays. Once he left, my son came in and told me he'd get C (sister) her breakfast and put something on for her to watch, I could just keep resting a bit longer. I didn't fall completely asleep but I did halfway snooze for another half hour which was awesome. Big age gaps have their perks. 

So so tell me how your kids are taking it! Any sweet moments or hilarious stories? There was no other thread to put these in so I'm making one. 

AlexLindzz

My daughter is too young to really understand (turns 2 on Sunday!). But she went through a phase where she would run up to me and yell "baby in mamas tummy!!!!!" She hasn't done it lately so I'm guessing she forgot by now haha!

aquasocks

Our 2.5 year old knows. We read her books about babies sometimes and she kinda picked up on my husband rubbing my belly, etc. The best is that she LOVES to kiss the baby. She will lift up my shirt and give me a big kiss on the belly. I will say "I love you!" And she says "I love the baby. You love dad." So right now I'm trying to explain that I have lots of love to go around

She is currently showing no signs of jealously or anything. But we always talk really positively about "our" baby, the fun things we will do, etc. And we love the Rachel Fuller books which someone recommended. It's going to be a long wait for her though! 

fiscally3

We told are older two today. My oldest gets it and is very excited (and now knows both mommy & baby need to take a nap.) My 2 year old didn't get it.

muybueno

@KilgraveMadeMeDoIt your son sounds like such a sweatheart. I wanted my kids close together but I'm totally jealous of you having a helper! 

I'm really looking forward to telling my 3 yo. He was only 22 mos when his brother was born and didn't "get it" at all. We'd say "there's a baby coming" and he'd just run to the front door.

This time around, he'll definitely understand. No idea if he'll be super into it or just really non-chalant. I plan to video our first convo w him about it, so the kids can watch it when they are older. 

MollySm

I haven't told our kids yet, and won't until I feel more secure on the miscarriage front, and until farther along so the wait won't be quite as long for my older daughter.  

But as I was getting dressed this morning she looked at me and said, "Mama, why is your belly getting so big?!". I should have had a response ready, but I didn't, so I blathered on about different body types, but that if there was a big change in mine maybe I  was eating too much junk or not exercising enough.  She knows that babies grow in Mama's bellies and all that, so I have no idea if she was thinking that or if she was just surprised.  

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt

@muybueno Your oldest will be about the same age my son was when my daughter was born and even though my son has delays - he has autism and was much less functional at age 4 than he otherwise would have been - he was a help when my daughter was tiny. Even with just things like fetching diapers and helping sing her a song when she was upset in the car. I expect your oldest will be fantastic for entertaining your middle child when you have to deal with baby. 

We wanted our kids closer in age too, but infertility got in the way. It took us two years to TTC our second and two years this time around, but it's worked out for the best!

NatashaSprout

We still haven't told a soul; including the kids.

muybueno

NatashaSprout said:

We still haven't told a soul; including the kids.

When are you going to tell them? They are boys if memory serves- so let's be honest, you could get pretty big before they'd notice anything

NatashaSprout

muybueno said:

NatashaSprout said:

We still haven't told a soul; including the kids.

When are you going to tell them? They are boys if memory serves- so let's be honest, you could get pretty big before they'd notice anything

We will know sex this week and if it's a girl we will tell my mom. Otherwise we aren't telling anyone until June 13th when I go on leave. My 11 year old has autism, he wouldnt notice if his face was on fire. The other kid is going to be pissed so we were holding off telling him. 

muybueno

NatashaSprout said:

muybueno said:

NatashaSprout said:

We still haven't told a soul; including the kids.

When are you going to tell them? They are boys if memory serves- so let's be honest, you could get pretty big before they'd notice anything

We will know sex this week and if it's a girl we will tell my mom. Otherwise we aren't telling anyone until June 13th when I go on leave. My 11 year old has autism, he wouldnt notice if his face was on fire. The other kid is going to be pissed so we were holding off telling him. 

Oh no- he's gonna be pissed? Why? Looking forward to your sex announcement

NatashaSprout

muybueno said:

NatashaSprout said:

muybueno said:

NatashaSprout said:

We still haven't told a soul; including the kids.

When are you going to tell them? They are boys if memory serves- so let's be honest, you could get pretty big before they'd notice anything

We will know sex this week and if it's a girl we will tell my mom. Otherwise we aren't telling anyone until June 13th when I go on leave. My 11 year old has autism, he wouldnt notice if his face was on fire. The other kid is going to be pissed so we were holding off telling him. 

Oh no- he's gonna be pissed? Why? Looking forward to your sex announcement

He doesn't want another sibling. He doesn't like "things" to effect his life. We are hoping he will warm up to the idea. 

ficbot

I wasn't sure when we'd tell my stepson, who is 5. But we are having him next week for Passover and everyone who is coming over knows, so if we don't tell him, he will overhear. We'll probably tell him, then his mother, if everything goes well at my OB appointment next week.

He is a great kid and very paternal with his younger cousin. I think he will enjoy the baby :-)