Should I tell my other dc...

[lovelyjubilly]

...the date I have my section booked in for?

We got our date last week (Dec 28th - after Christmas! Hurrah!).
We're in two minds though about whether to tell the 7yo and 5yo.

Reasons for:

• It might be lovely to have a countdown.
  
• It might help them to mentally/emotionally prepare.
  
• The 7yo would definitely want to know.
  

Reasons against:

• They have enough excitement going on with Christmas.
  
• It might make the 5yo anxious and worried (she's very much a mummy's girl and I imagine might not cope very well with the idea of me being in hospital)
  
• It would be an exciting surprise on the day.
  

Any other factors that we haven't yet considered?

[Oysterbabe]

I'd tell them after Christmas.

[mindutopia]

I would tell them. They're certainly old enough to understand and it gives them time to prepare. I'm not having a planned section, but mine is 4 and she knows exactly when baby is likely to arrive (like when I will be past 37 weeks). I think if you wait until after Christmas, it springs it on them pretty quickly. Tell them now and then give them a chance to enjoy Christmas. They likely won't dwell on it as much as you think they will.

[Expectingbsbunumber2]

I would tell them.

[shakeatailfeather]

I'm having a caesarean on the 28th too! We have a 6yr old and have told him already. He is very excited. We need to sort childcare so wanted to be able to tell who he'll be with.

Good luck with everything

[Wooders09]

I'm having a section next week and have a 6 and 4 yr old and I've told them a while ago. They are excited and ask most morning's how many days to go!!