A pregnancy is news of happiness and joy for the family, but when there are more children, we may have doubts about how they will take it or we worry about the best way to communicate it. We cannot control how they will take it but we can control how they tell them. Today we will talk about the best way to tell your children about your pregnancy.
A little brother is on the way
There are children who from a very young age do not stop asking for a little brother or sister, so we know that the news will be well received. On the other hand, there are other children who do not want to hear about siblings, since they are used to being the center of attention. A brother may be seen as a threat to his kingship and the news may not be entirely to his liking.
You will never know how he will react as children are unpredictable. It will depend on how you hear the news, what the child is like, and what expectations you have about your future sibling. There are children in whom it is seen regressions in their behavior (They want a pacifier again, they pee or poop on top of themselves when they are over the diaper ...) Or maybe try to get your attention in other ways. They are children trying to adapt to the new reality, each one will need their time to accept it. The best thing is that we are there to support and encourage you during the process.
The age of your children is important
Experts recommend that the news be announced to other children when the period of greatest risk has passed. That is, after the first trimester. If we tell them earlier and then the worst happens, we will have to explain things to them that are beyond their understanding.
The less time they are between the brothers the easier it will be. If they are very young they will not even understand what is happening. If your child is less than 4 years old, it is even advisable to wait until the third trimester or when the belly is evident. Young children are unaware of the passage of time and so many months of waiting will make you lose all interest or forget it. If they are older, they already understand the passage of time and we can tell them at 3 months. The older they are, the more complicated it is to communicate it, since they are aware of everything and the consequences that it entails. Let's see some tips to help you tell your children about your pregnancy.
How to tell your children about your pregnancy
- Involve your child with your future brother. Ask him to help you decorate his room, buy his clothes and everything that has to do with the baby. You will feel part of something important and that you are being taken into account. He is the older brother and can decide a few things.
- Tell him the news with joy. Let him see that having a baby in the family is something wonderful and worth celebrating. You can throw a little party with the family to see how much fun it is.
- Tell him about your brothers if you have. You may not associate that your uncles are mom and dad's siblings. Tell him about the adventures you did when you were little, how much fun you had and how you love each other. Let him see that having siblings is great.
- Read him stories that talk about siblings. In the market there are books and stories on all subjects, and the theme of the arrival of the brothers could not be less. Find a book that explains the fun and adventures you will have with your new baby brother.
- Tell him what babies do. Many children believe that the babies will be their age and will already be born playing soccer. Explain that for a few years he will depend entirely on you, to eat and sleep in order to grow like him. This way your expectations will be more realistic.
Because remember ... don't give it too much importance if you don't take it right the first time. Children adapt very well to circumstances.