Hi. I just found out I'm preggo and my boyfriend and I are completely shelled shock, as we weren't trying to conceive and due to health concerns, didnt think I could get pregnant. My boyfriend has a 12 yr old son and quite frankly is freaking out about having to tell him along with what will happen for us. The worries and concerns are mutual. Only I seem to be dealing with all this better, perhaps because I have to, for my own well-being. I'm looking for suggestions on ways to let him know we are ok right now and to reenforce our connection within our relationship. He's been super supportive and he takes great care of me. But for himself.... He's just freaked out! Thx!
Re: Surprise! We're completely unprepared!
First, congratulations. Second, I would wait on telling SS until you are into your second tri bc of your concerns and bc of the health issues you mentioned. Good luck to you and I wish you a H&H 9months!
BFP #1 11/07/2012 EDD 07/09/2013 M/C 11/22/2012
BFP #2 02/05/2013 EDD 09/19/2013 Arrived via c-section 09/27/2013
Be careful about how you plant a seed if you're already pregnant. If SS freaks out at the idea (which is always a possibility), what will you do? If he says "I don't ever want a sibling. I love being an only child, I would hate havig to share my dad" you can't just say "oh, too bad, you're getting a sibling." He's old enough to do math and, at 12, can figure out you were already pregnant when you started talking about a sibling
Before I got pregnant, I made it a point to talk very openly about all of my friends who were pregnant (when I got birth announcements, I plastered them to the front of the fridge). This way it was a subtle hint to the kids that my friends who are my age are having babies.
When you do tell him, I suggest a direct approach that makes the experience about him, rather than the two of you. We had recently got a new puppy so we said "Guess what, Gryffin isn't going to be the youngest member of our family anymore!'" They looked at us puzzled and we said "You are going to be big sisters in April!" We expected a very negative reaction from them, but they were actually super excited! One even called dibs on babysitting.
Congratulations again! And I hope you happy and healthy pregnancy!
But Kendra made a really good point. Make the announcement more about SS than new LO and you and your SO. And if he seems interested, keep him involved. Let him help prepare, pick things out, etc. If he is not interested at all, just make sure that you and your SO don't sart skipping out on him for "baby stuff." During your pregnancy, it is so important that he still gets just as much attention and one-on-one time as before. That way he knows that he is not being replaced by a "new family."