Telling My Class

holly142

I am a kindergarten teacher during the school year and I teach summer camp to 6-10 year-olds during the summer.  I have known most of my students for 1-3 years.  I told my class yesterday that I am pregnant.  Here are a few of my favorite response from them:

• "So, do you just wish for it and you get it?" (I wish it was that quick!)
  
• "You know it is going to hurt, right?" (Really?) 
  
• "How are babies born?" (Another student answered this before I could respond, see next statement.)
  
• "You go to the hospital, the doctor cuts open your stomach, takes the baby out and staples you back together again." (This is kind of one way...)
  
• "No more alcohol!  No more alcohol!"
  
• "Baby eats what you eat, so no more coffee or wine for you." (How do my students know all of this?)  
  

All of these responses came very quickly.  I told the students that we were going to have free time, but if they had more questions they could talk to me one student at a time.  Thankfully, no one had anymore awkward questions! 

emilypeach

hahaha! That's super cute! I'm actually going to be a first year teacher this year, teaching 5th grade. (EEEK I know its going to be crazy attempting my first year teaching and my first pregnancy all at once, but what can you do when it all happens at once..) I haven't met my students, school starts July 29 at which point I'll be 16 weeks so I will have to tell them right away.  Also nervous about the parents' reactions on back to school night!

Ttctraci

I read an article that says your students will have less bitterness about your maternity leave and maintain a better connection with you if they feel involved with their teacher's pregnancy. So I have started putting together ideas for a gender reveal party with my students. I have also started creating writing prompts to use during my leave. Some of them are writing stories and recording them reading for the baby. Some are of questions about what they think the baby will like/not like. I am a little nervous about maintaining that' classroom family connection since I will be gone so long.

aessary03

Sounds like an eventful time!

If any of those kids have an open communication house like we do, then they are probably picking it up from their parents. My 9 yo comes up with the darndest things she probably gets from listening to conversations her dad and I have! We, of course, keep the naughty or vulgar stuff private, but most things we talk about in front of her. I imagine that probably happens in other households.

Glad you had a good day! 

Stargirl1975

When I was pregnant with my DS I was an elementary school librarian. After I told me students the top questions I got were "Can I see it now?", "when can I see it?", after they would put their hand on my belly "oh, I felt it move!" when there was no possible way, "Will you name it insert their name here?". It was a lot of fun.

The last week before I had my son I was explaining that my last day would be Friday, since I would be having the baby soon didn't make it to Friday btw!. Anyway a 5th grade girl shouted out "Yeah, my mom had her membranes stripped yesterday!". Of course, right on cue "What does that mean Mrs. H??" I dodged the question!

baby2ra

That's so cute. I was still teaching when I was pregnant with DD. The kids were always so curious. It's great that you are allowing them to be involved!

alinafed

Really cute. I love hearing the reactions of kids in my family when they find out they are going to have a little brother or sister. Recently my cousin was furious at her parents for having a boy! So funny.

jaclynwas17

emilypeach:

hahaha! That's super cute! I'm actually going to be a first year teacher this year, teaching 5th grade. (EEEK I know its going to be crazy attempting my first year teaching and my first pregnancy all at once, but what can you do when it all happens at once..) I haven't met my students, school starts July 29 at which point I'll be 16 weeks so I will have to tell them right away.  Also nervous about the parents' reactions on back to school night!

I teach 5th grade too!  I love it! They're the best age! I'm also a little worried about our Open House which is usually a few days before school starts. I'll be a fairly obvious 4 1/2 months by then...