My 2.5 YO son knows I'm pregnant and he knows I'm not feeling well. But he doesn't know it's the pregnancy making me sick, we didn't want him to "blame" the babies. He does run in the bathroom if I'm throwing up and then describe (in detail) what's going on. Then he sings me a song to make me feel better or brings me a stuffed animal. Each week we tell him the new fruit size and try to find it at the grocery store. We have also made a few trips to Trader Joes. He gets to push his cart and pick out fruit for the babies. It's been sweet to see him think about what they might want to eat.
Awww, I never thought about the kids picking out foods. My kiddos know that the baby doesn't let me eat some of my normal foods. I can't eat chicken cooked in Italian dressing anymore, in fact I really don't even like the smell. When I eat something different at dinner they ask me if it's because the baby doesn't like it. It's fun seeing how often they think about it.
My 9 year old knows where babies come from. I had two prior csection's so he's seen the scar and he knows that's not the "normal" way. For some reason his friends are super comfortable around me (and I'm a nosey eavesdropper sometimes) and they are already talking about sex related topics even though they clearly don't understand anything about it so I want to give my kids as much accurate information as possible. One of his friends who is 10 built a "strip club" in his Minecraft game and I asked him if he even knew what it was and he said it's where girls bounce up and down in pools.
I think the worst part is the 9 year old attitude. My sweet, obedient, loving, helpful kid has turned into Jekyll and Hyde. His attitude and my pregnancy hormones are clashing. I thought we had another year or so before this but it is taking all of energy sometimes not to smack him.
@cantalopes24 it's so not funny a 10 year old knows about strip clubs but that he built one in minecraft gave me a chuckle. I can't even imagine how I would have responded had I been there. I think I would have gone in shock temporarily.
I just said "Has your mom seen this" and he said no and I told him to delete it and that until he was old enough to be in one is I didn't want to hear it in my house. A lot of these kids are pretty sheltered so they're parents don't put parental controls on their tablets and they have open access to YouTube and Netflix and just assume because they aren't talking to them that they don't know any of this stuff or how to get into it. I grew up in a pretty similar world and I remember from experience it's not even worth talking to the other parents about it because the reaction is going to be their child is perfect and they clearly heard it from someone else because they would never and nothing is done.
We are the type who have parental controls on just about everything our kids have access to. I grew up pretty sheltered and thought our kids were too but I'm starting to think they heard more from school than I know about.
I have an email that comes to my inbox every week. So I show her what the baby looks like and how big it is that week. I don't really go into symptoms so much, but she has asked if "blueberry" makes me tired, and I told her yes. She asked why and I told her that my body is working very hard to make sure the baby keeps growing. She seemed happy with that answer. If she has a question I just answer it as simply and truthfully as I can.
My DD is 5 so she has already asked how babies come out. I just told her that they come out of the vagina. She just accepted it and went on with her day, lol. We have been very truthful with any question she has. She has also had baths with her male cousin since they were babies (same age), so she knows that boys and girls are different.
Diagnosed with PCOS March '10 - Started 1000mg of Metformin After 3 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, FSH+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP!
Time to make Emilie a big sister!
May '16 2.0: Letrozole+FSH+Menopur+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP! first beta-45.44, second beta-148
DS just turned 3 and he now knows about the baby. I mean, I don't believe he fully understands what's really happening but he seemed excited about it. We really hyped him up about how he's going to be Mommy's special helper and being a big brother is the most important and fun job in the world.
As far as anatomy goes, we've always been pretty straightforward with it. We use the proper words so DS knows he has a penis and Mommy has a vagina. I feel like if we approach it like it's no big deal, then it won't be a big deal for him. He doesn't seem to care about it really.
We are the type who have parental controls on just about everything our kids have access to. I grew up pretty sheltered and thought our kids were too but I'm starting to think they heard more from school than I know about.
DS just turned 3 and he now knows about the baby. I mean, I don't believe he fully understands what's really happening but he seemed excited about it. We really hyped him up about how he's going to be Mommy's special helper and being a big brother is the most important and fun job in the world.
As far as anatomy goes, we've always been pretty straightforward with it. We use the proper words so DS knows he has a penis and Mommy has a vagina. I feel like if we approach it like it's no big deal, then it won't be a big deal for him. He doesn't seem to care about it really.
exactly! And think about it: if your kid asks how the baby comes out, why would you hide the fact that it's your vagina? There's nothing dirty or shameful about that. It's just nature! That's what it's there for! No big deal. And like I said before, I got by for a long time just answering the question asked - no further explanation was needed. Ex. "Does the baby come out your belly button?" "Nope." "Can I have some goldfish?" Lol. Younger kids probably won't probe for details yet. And when they do, check out one a book
Our library was closed due to renovations and just opened back up today. They had nothing at all for pregnancy with older kids. I put a request for a book, what to expect when mommys having a baby. I couldn't find the specified book earlier mentioned. Not sure if maybe the title was accidently forgotten and this one is it... or at least I'm hoping I got the right book.
DS just turned 3 and he now knows about the baby. I mean, I don't believe he fully understands what's really happening but he seemed excited about it. We really hyped him up about how he's going to be Mommy's special helper and being a big brother is the most important and fun job in the world.
As far as anatomy goes, we've always been pretty straightforward with it. We use the proper words so DS knows he has a penis and Mommy has a vagina. I feel like if we approach it like it's no big deal, then it won't be a big deal for him. He doesn't seem to care about it really.
exactly! And think about it: if your kid asks how the baby comes out, why would you hide the fact that it's your vagina? There's nothing dirty or shameful about that. It's just nature! That's what it's there for! No big deal. And like I said before, I got by for a long time just answering the question asked - no further explanation was needed. Ex. "Does the baby come out your belly button?" "Nope." "Can I have some goldfish?" Lol. Younger kids probably won't probe for details yet. And when they do, check out one a book
My nephew was 2 when my SIL was pregnant with my niece and if you asked him how the baby was going to come out of Mommy's belly, he would just say, "The doctor's going to get the baby out, can I go play now?" Literally did not dwell on it at all.
I got cut off earlier sorry- I definitely may have had the name wrong earlier- but if you're on the list for the book I posted a pic of, I think you'll like it! @kswiger06
I haven't told my kids yet but I swear they know somehow. My daughter (5.5) recently asked me if I was hiding something from her and if she has a sister. She's also been saying things like that we might have one more baby in our family. My son (3) has asked me repeatedly over the last couple of days if he is the youngest in our family.
On the subject of where babies come from and how they come out, my daughter knows that they come out the vagina usually, unless they get stuck, in which case the doctor cuts a hole in the mommy's tummy. In terms of how they get in there, all I have told her so far is that when two parents love each other and want to be together forever and have a family, they can decide to make a baby. The baby needs one part from a man and one part from a woman. I plan to tell her more about exactly how the baby gets in there maybe in a year or so. My kids definitely have seen each others' parts, and they both still see me naked pretty often. How else am I going to get a shower in ?
Me: 1979 * Husband: 1976 * Little girl: 2010 * Little guy: 2013 * MMC: 2016 * Last baby: EDD 2/11/17!
@16isourluckynumber, my youngest knows even though we haven't told them. Tonight in front of one of my friends who does know,she was rubbing my belly. We had been talking about another mom that is pregnant. I asked her what she was doing and she said I am rubbing the baby in your belly. I asked her why she thinks I have a baby in there and she just says because your belly is getting so big. She has been rubbing, patting and kissing it off and on. She's my little snuggle bug, so I can see that, but also I swear she has a touch of the sight. She told me my neighbor across the street was pregnant with a girl before my neighbor even knew she was pregnant. 9 months later she had a girl.
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
@Partyof6? That's neat! My nephew is 4 and he has successfully guessed the sex 2 out of 2 times before anyone knew for sure !! We wanted to see what he would say about me and if he can get 3 of 3 and he guessed a boy. Now I'm excited to find out lol.
We have an almost 2 year old. She doesn't really grasp what's going on but I keep telling her that she's going to be a big sister and that we're having a baby... Especially when she tried to jump on my belly! I say things like careful mommy has a baby in there, can you be nice to baby? Then she pets my belly
New question... what are your plans for your older kids, when the time comes??
As of now, our plans are as follows. Both kids will have school and unless it happens on a weekend, they will need to be there. We live an hour away from family, and the hospital I'll be delivering at is only a 5 minute drive from our house. Currently we are thinking about having my mil stay at our house with the kids. She doesn't work so she has the time available. Husband will go home to help put kids to bed at night, then either stay there or come back to hospital (most likely come back, he doesn't like me being alone with no familiar company) then he will go home to drop kids off at school because mil isn't familiar with our area enough to do so. Then back to hospital with me. After school kids will come to visit at hospital and then go home for supper. Depending on how I'm feeling they will do homework in hospital because I'm generally the one who helps them and I think I will still want to. So far this sounds like our best option, only thing is I feel bad that mil will be stuck bored all day if kids are at school, or she will be stuck trying to wrangle them alone if it's a weekend lol. (Kids take advantage of grandparents).
@kswiger06 , We are lucky that we have an abundance of family. My parents are usually in Florida for the winter, I am not sure how this will change their plans, but my in laws live 5 minutes away and are retired.
Depending on if I VBAC or c-section, DH may go home to sleep and get the kids to school in the morning. If need be, my in-laws would likely be more than happy to spend the night at our house and get the kids to school.
My youngest actually has a preschool break in February, so depending, she might be easiest. I have friends that will get the girls to dance class, etc, so we are lucky I know!
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
@Partyof6? That sounds like you will have it pretty good. If family were closer to us, it would be easier I think, but oh well. It sounds like your plan is somewhat similar to ours with kids still attending school and able to sleep in their own beds. That's what was important for me, was to try and keep their schedules as close to normal as possible.
One of my son's will watch my daughter. If that is not possible one of my sisters will be able to. We have 2 more back ups just in case. When my younger son was born my oldest stayed with my mom. I will be out the next day as long as everything is normal so I won't have to plan too much beyond that. I have suffered from post part depression in the past so I could stay in longer if I feel I need to but I think I will just want to be home with my daughter.
@blush64 when you have an average delivery you get out the next day? My shortest stay was 2 days and it was 3 with my son... I had both my kids over the weekend though so maybe we had to wait until a week day for the Dr to discharge the babies?? Idk
@kswiger06 The hospitals around here send you home at most 24 hours later unless there is an issue. (A few days for c-sections) Depending on when you give birth it can be a bit less than 24 hours. They really want you gone. The moment that baby is born it doesn't leave your side and then you go.
Some places started a 5 day-5 night program if you have had post-part depression or feel you may be at risk. Since the baby rooms with mom from the moment of birth this program allows a bit more help from nurses. The offer more help, assistance at night if needed and the option to stay longer if you need more support.
@kswiger06 I am in Ontario, Canada.(in the GTA, because that can also make a difference)
I guess it really depends on where you are and who your doctor is. I am probably one of the few who prefer a longer stay. It is so easy at the hospital. (No cooking, no cleaning and a lactation consultant if needed)
Either my parents or in laws or a split of both will keep the kids. I'll probably be in the hospital 3 or 4 days (csection). My husband will stay the whole time except when I send him out to buy me snacks lol. The kids will visit but we want a couple days with the baby together before we have to get back into the routine. I don't mind being in the hospital but we're there more frequently than most people so I'm probably just used to it. Like PP said, no cooking, no cleaning, plus lots of naps and no kids fighting.
As a mother of three two daughters 15 and 12 and a son 7 I have always been honest and open with them about everything.. I mean I have not used the restroom alone in 15 years!! They all want a baby brother.. so fingers crossed they all get what they want!!
During the day my son (7) will be in school. He goes to an aftercare program that he adores, and pick up there is 5:30 I think. So thankfully we have a little wiggle room.if things go down during the day. My parents are 45 minutes away, but one of them will probably pick him up after school if we need them to. DH will be there for bedtime and overnight, and then he can come back to the hospital. I would rather have him home with our LO than at the hospital with me. That way, at least someone gets a good night sleep!
I'm hoping they let me peace out ASAP after delivery. My hospital will not allow any visitors other than DH, and I Dont want to be away from my older son that long. Plus, hospitals are cesspools. Get me home to my own germs.
I have no idea yet. I will probably figure it out in February. My last labor was so fast someone will probably have to meet us at the hospital to get the kids!
Well our daughter is 2. She's currently in Daycare full time. I was induced for her so we went in on Monday morning, very much planned. Im hoping to avoid induction and I will work as long as possible (I was off work at that time -very difficult end of pregnancy).
I do hope to keep her in DayCare full time for the first 3 weeks PP. It looks like I will be leaving my FT job as it's just too much $$$$ for 2 in daycare. As long as we can swing it she will go 2 days still and I will work from home for another company. She loves daycare and her speech has improved drastically as has her behaviour. The interaction and education she has gotten has been wonderful for her.
Our parents are very close by (next door and 1 mile). Daycare and both our works are within 7 miles and the hospitals is near all locations! Worse case I go to the hospital - DH meets me and a grandparent or sibling picks up Gwen! One of them will have her overnight. Our pup will go to my parents house. Hubby will stay with me (I hate hospitals).
In the US insurance will pay for 2 nights for vaginal or 4 nights for c-section. That is assuming there is no complications that require longer stay. If wanting to leave early try to at least stay for 24 hrs. That is when the newborn screen and congenital heart screening is usually done. I least after 2 nights with my c-section and then after 24 hrs after vaginal.
Re: Pregnancy with older kids
I think the worst part is the 9 year old attitude. My sweet, obedient, loving, helpful kid has turned into Jekyll and Hyde. His attitude and my pregnancy hormones are clashing. I thought we had another year or so before this but it is taking all of energy sometimes not to smack him.
My DD is 5 so she has already asked how babies come out. I just told her that they come out of the vagina. She just accepted it and went on with her day, lol. We have been very truthful with any question she has. She has also had baths with her male cousin since they were babies (same age), so she knows that boys and girls are different.
Diagnosed with PCOS March '10 - Started 1000mg of Metformin
After 3 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, FSH+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP!
Time to make Emilie a big sister!
May '16 2.0: Letrozole+FSH+Menopur+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP! first beta-45.44, second beta-148
As far as anatomy goes, we've always been pretty straightforward with it. We use the proper words so DS knows he has a penis and Mommy has a vagina. I feel like if we approach it like it's no big deal, then it won't be a big deal for him. He doesn't seem to care about it really.
Big Bro 7/14/13
Little Bro 2/6/17
TTC since January 2016
BFP - 3/12/16 - MC 4/5/16
BFP - 6/11/16
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
On the subject of where babies come from and how they come out, my daughter knows that they come out the vagina usually, unless they get stuck, in which case the doctor cuts a hole in the mommy's tummy. In terms of how they get in there, all I have told her so far is that when two parents love each other and want to be together forever and have a family, they can decide to make a baby. The baby needs one part from a man and one part from a woman. I plan to tell her more about exactly how the baby gets in there maybe in a year or so. My kids definitely have seen each others' parts, and they both still see me naked pretty often. How else am I going to get a shower in
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
As of now, our plans are as follows.
Both kids will have school and unless it happens on a weekend, they will need to be there. We live an hour away from family, and the hospital I'll be delivering at is only a 5 minute drive from our house. Currently we are thinking about having my mil stay at our house with the kids. She doesn't work so she has the time available. Husband will go home to help put kids to bed at night, then either stay there or come back to hospital (most likely come back, he doesn't like me being alone with no familiar company) then he will go home to drop kids off at school because mil isn't familiar with our area enough to do so. Then back to hospital with me. After school kids will come to visit at hospital and then go home for supper. Depending on how I'm feeling they will do homework in hospital because I'm generally the one who helps them and I think I will still want to. So far this sounds like our best option, only thing is I feel bad that mil will be stuck bored all day if kids are at school, or she will be stuck trying to wrangle them alone if it's a weekend lol. (Kids take advantage of grandparents).
Depending on if I VBAC or c-section, DH may go home to sleep and get the kids to school in the morning. If need be, my in-laws would likely be more than happy to spend the night at our house and get the kids to school.
My youngest actually has a preschool break in February, so depending, she might be easiest. I have friends that will get the girls to dance class, etc, so we are lucky I know!
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
I will be out the next day as long as everything is normal so I won't have to plan too much beyond that. I have suffered from post part depression in the past so I could stay in longer if I feel I need to but I think I will just want to be home with my daughter.
Some places started a 5 day-5 night program if you have had post-part depression or feel you may be at risk. Since the baby rooms with mom from the moment of birth this program allows a bit more help from nurses. The offer more help, assistance at night if needed and the option to stay longer if you need more support.
My c-section they kept me 4-5 days, but then we roomed in since the twins were in the NICU. They were only there a week.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
I guess it really depends on where you are and who your doctor is. I am probably one of the few who prefer a longer stay. It is so easy at the hospital. (No cooking, no cleaning and a lactation consultant if needed)
I'm hoping they let me peace out ASAP after delivery. My hospital will not allow any visitors other than DH, and I Dont want to be away from my older son that long. Plus, hospitals are cesspools. Get me home to my own germs.
Im hoping to avoid induction and I will work as long as possible (I was off work at that time -very difficult end of pregnancy).
I do hope to keep her in DayCare full time for the first 3 weeks PP. It looks like I will be leaving my FT job as it's just too much $$$$ for 2 in daycare. As long as we can swing it she will go 2 days still and I will work from home for another company. She loves daycare and her speech has improved drastically as has her behaviour. The interaction and education she has gotten has been wonderful for her.
Our parents are very close by (next door and 1 mile). Daycare and both our works are within 7 miles and the hospitals is near all locations! Worse case I go to the hospital - DH meets me and a grandparent or sibling picks up Gwen! One of them will have her overnight. Our pup will go to my parents house. Hubby will stay with me (I hate hospitals).