At what stage do you tell your DC's that there is a baby on the way?

[ThereIsNoEleventeen]

Oldest is 6 and I wonder if she has guessed that there is something going on, I had quite a few hospital trips in the beginning and it was quite stressful. I am not sure what the younger 2 will make of it all, they are nearly 4 and 2. It wasn't an issue last time as they older 2 were so young when I fell pg with DC3.

I always thought that it was best to wait as long as possible before telling them. I'm only about 14 weeks so its fairly early but I'm worried that DD is getting unsettled because she might be aware that something is going on.

When did you tell them?

Hello OP.
I left it pretty late telling ds1 and 2 about being pg with dd. This was because I was older and didn't want to tempt fate.
if you dd is unsettled you need to tell her something. Could you tell her the health appointments are routine and just checks that everyone has to have. You wouldn't be lying and that might be why she is concerned.
They pick up on everything, so I wouldn't worry too much.

In my opinion, the sooner you tell them the better, but waiting the standard 12 weeks, just in case, is probably a good idea. It gives them time to adjust I think. They can talk to your tummy, use the baby's name, if you're choosing it ahead of time, and just get their heads around the whole idea. They could even get involved in preparing for the baby if they like. Choosing where to put the teddy in the cot or other little things like that, if you're into that sort of thing.
I find kids handle life in general better if they know what's coming. Spring things on them, or change their routines suddenly, and that causes issues. Or that's what my two LOs are like at any rate.

But you clearly need to do what suits you and your family best. Good luck!

I always told me straight away - I needed them to understand as best they can why I was being ill and so tired and not as up to things and they tend to come to appointments with me. I also told the lodger(s) at the time so they can decide for themselves. I do avoid telling anyone else as long as humanly possible (didn't tell my family abroad until 6-8 months), but everyone in the house I tell straight away.

Currently 28 weeks pregnant with DC4. We told my oldest (who was nearly 7, but very mature for her age) after I had a good six week scan as all my previous losses have been clear by bad scans at that point. We waited a while longer for the nearly 5 year old until we were sure things were going well. DS is 2 and I just tell him not to hit the baby please, I think he has no clue what is going to happen in his life in a few months as he keeps hitting his own tummy and yelling "No hit baby"!

It was the summer holidays and I'd promised them lots of nice picnics, long walks etc as I had started to give up on ever conceiving DC4 (13 cycles) but I was completely wiped out with morning sickness and exhaustion, so I felt I owed them a bit of an explanation for broken promises. The oldest two seemed to understand anyway.

I think I will tell them as soon as I can feel kicking...I'm feeling like I don't want to temp fate either, I can't quite believe that I've got this far. I think DD will be pleased, although I will be under pressure from her to have a girl this time!

Definitely think that it will be good to involve them in the preparation, not that it feels like there is lots to do this time.

Wasn't going to tell my older dcs until 3 months, (4th time), but the11 yr old got worried how ill I was, so I had to tell them so he wouldn't worry. My dd pointed to the screen when I had my 12wk scan and started excitably shouting baby. Amazed she could make it out, especially as she was only 15 months old. We thought we had kept it quiet but all my dcs worked it out themselves (5th time) before we told them.

12wks seems sensible but it depends how sick you are. Children pick things up and worry when not kept informed.

I am expecting my 8th baby my children's ages are 17,15,13,4,3,18months and 8 months I am coming up 12 weeks I had an early bleed at 6weeks so had to be scanned I told the older children then but the younger 4 it will be weeks before because 6 months is an eternity to them and young children can be a tad impatient but I think it is everyone to there own you will know when the time is appropriate .