Telling Your Children About Your Pregnancy

As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you will want to tell everyone about the good news including your other children. The manner in which you tell your children of this impending event will depend on the ages of your children. A older child will very well understand what you mean when you tell them you're pregnant, but the younger child, such as a toddler, will find this a little more difficult to understand.

When it comes to telling your children about your pregnancy, consider your child's personality. They may respond better to little clues or they may prefer to just be told straight out. Sometimes the children find out quit by accident when you may be telling your husband, or walking in on a home pregnancy test.

You will get different reaction to your announcement. You child may become distant. Many times children will respond to this news in this manner. Some children will pretend to be pregnant also and mimic everything you do. Some will tell you right away that they do not want you to bring home the baby. All of these scenarios are common, and the means by which you handle it will determine the ultimate outcome.

If you child seems not to be accepting of the idea of another child in the home, you should try to find out why he or she is concerned. Many children do not know what role they will be playing in the family when the new baby arrives. They may also feel that you will not love them any longer, or will be left out.

You will need to let your child know that they are just as important as they have always been. Be sure that your child or children get something special when the new baby is born. Some doctors recommend giving the siblings their own new baby doll when the baby is born. Try reading children's books to them. Show them that Dad as well as Mom can always spend time with them.