Welcome to "Hey, Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.
Telling your kids that your family is expecting a new baby can be an exciting and challenging conversation. For some children, the prospect of being a big brother or sister is thrilling; for others, it brings up anxiety and fear.
That leads us to this week's question:
How did you announce to your kids that they would soon have a new baby brother or sister?
Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.
Becki Thanos Benson: My line was they had a big important job of being a big brother now that Mommy was going to have a baby. — Elmhurst Patch Facebook
Della Szeszol Melville: Early on I told each older sibling I had a baby in my belly. They each had fun watching my belly grow, getting to kiss and snuggle my belly. They also came to each prenatal appointment I had so they felt involved, and not left out. After each appointment we would stop for a treat as well. They absolutely adore each other, and at 9, 5, and 3, they get along fairly well together. — Naperville Patch Facebook
Jeni Golomb: I had grandiose plans, but the excitement got to me. I told my husband and my son (who was 2.5 y.o. at the time) simultaneously, the split second I found out I was pregnant. I ran out of the bathroom and said, "Guess what? Mommy has a baby in her belly." They were both thrilled. My son grabbed the stethoscope from his toy dr's kit, listened to my belly, and said, "I can hear the baby. He sounds good." — Elmhurst Patch Facebook
Julie Farrell: I didn't have to tell too much as my oldest was only a year old when I became pregnant with my youngest. — Glen Ellyn Patch Facebook
Blair Malloy: We read picture books about being a big brother or big sister. We got my daughter a doll and baby gear of her own and try to include my kids in everything from getting wipes for a diaper change to getting my nursing cover for feedings. — Elmhurst Patch Facebook
Melissa Ruh Muetze: i just told them. once was on my sons 13th bday — Batavia Patch Facebook
Colleen Shannon: I believe the best gift I gave my children was each other. I tried to convey that. — Elmhurst Patch Facebook
Diane Hunt Addante: Son loved Berenstain Bear books, he was less than 2 years old, so we read "New Baby" over and over again. Happily, we had a little girl, so it was even easier to follow. — Naperville Patch Facebook
Millicent Chrusciel: The boy, 3, got the full prep but still hated his sister until she turned 18 months! Now she's fun, but he's still jealous no matter how much his parents tried to lessen the blow. — Elmhurst Patch Facebook
