Telling Siblings......quirky fun ideas?

[Gemmafionadeeble]

Hey,

So we have 3 kids to tell about our new baby:
My son 11
My Daughter 6
Partners Daughter 5

So we have briefly spoken to the kids before about "what if" we had a baby and my son said yes only if it's a boy, but he's very easy going and know he won't mind about it.

Partners daughter is desperate for a baby sister - we can't guarantee but I think she will be ok..

My daughter but she is very very very clear that she does not want a baby!!! and I think she will take the news badly!

So anyone got any idea's for fun, quirky ideas of ways to tell them? thought about "Big Sister" tshirts etc, would be helpful if its in present form as daughter is easily bribed!

Any ideas?

Ta x

I wouldn't do a big "ta-da!" thing to be honest. They may not be as pleased as you think and it's fall a bit flat.

Big reveal things work best if you definitely know the DC will be thrilled, but that's not clear from your post and they are entitled to be miffed they're no longer the only boy / the youngest etc.

Sorry. We have an 8 year old and are expecting no. 2 so I get how excited you are, but we had to respect that DS may not be and may say what he thought we wanted to hear, so we went much more low key. What would you do if the DDs refused to wear "big sister" t-shirts for example?

How many weeks along are you?

Just... Tell them? Gently, supportively and age-appropriately?

It's about preparing your existing children for a significant change in their lives, not staging a Pinterest moment. And if your daughter doesn't want that it's not going o be "fun" for anyone.

I knew my girls would be excited ... We bought them t shirts that said "I'm going to be a big sister" and my eldest was "I'm going to be a big sister (again)... Bought on Amazon. They loved them and wore them with a scan pic to share the news with the rest of the family... They're super excited!!

We just sat down and told 4 year old dd, she had been adamant she wanted a baby sister but we didn't tell her until 20 weeks when we already knew it was a boy. I was worried that she'd be disappointed it was a boy but it didn't even occur to her to be!

Sorry just read the bit about your daughter not wanting a baby.... Definitely don't do t t-shirts!! Probably a quiet chat and a big heart to heart.... Tricky position op. Hope it goes ok xx

Yeah, sorry but I agree with pp. My son (5) was really upset by the news that #2 is on the way - which I'd expected - I'm really glad that I told him seriously and gently and calmly and without any big ta-da! It doesn't seem very kind really. Totally different when you're confident the news will be well received.

He cried - lots - and I cuddled him and listened to him and reassured him. Gradually over the days and weeks he got more used to the idea, even excited by some aspects. We went for a private scan at about 23 weeks, just the two of us, which he really enjoyed - then for a big brother treat trip to McDonald's. YMMV in terms of what constitutes a celebratory treat of course but doing things that way round, having the fun bonding bit once he'd got his head around the news, made it much more of a proper celebration for him and me.

Good advice ladies - thanks.....

We aren't going to find out what colour we are!
Holding off the news for as long as we can as both Ex-partners are not going to make things easy (various things and long story) but will be easier with them not knowing...

Just thought maybe a present from bump to them might help as daughter is bribed well but not sure....

Hard xx

We told my DS this morning. He's 6 and is a child from a previous relationship. We didn't know how he'd react, but he was very happy and excited... for about 20 minutes... then asked if he could watch his favourite programme. To be honest, I was very happy with that response.

In terms of telling him, we just said that we had some exciting news, that there was a baby in my tummy and that he would become a big brother. We showed him the scan pictures and one of them we'd had laminated for him (if he wanted it) and I had typed a message on the back saying - Hello, I'm going to be your baby sister or brother, I don't know which yet. I've heard so much about you and I know that you are amazing, so I feel very proud that you will be my big brother. I can't wait to meet you! Will you give me a name while I'm in mummy's tummy? xxx

This went down well. He's kept ALL the scan pictures and has named the bump/baby Happy.

Good luck with sharing your news, but as others have said I wouldn't go for a grand gesture. x

We went on holiday the day after the 12 week scan. We told the older children while we were away. We didn’t make a song and dance about it, just said that we had exciting news and showed them the scan picture. They were over the moon, but had a million questions so I’m pleased we told them in the privacy of our apartment. They were the first family members we told, and it was important to us that they were the first to know.

Just tell them, clearly, calmly and gently. Maybe over dinner. 'Quirky' carries the risk of misinterpretation or backfiring.

I agree with pp about not forcing the excitement if the children aren't sure about it.

A Facebook friend from a - how do I put this - cheesier culture put a fairly hilarious video on Facebook entitled, "The beautiful moment when [John] finds out he's going to be a big brother." The video was in black and white, with soft lighting and cheesy but momentous music in the background, as little John was shown the scan and told that mummy was having another baby. Young John was quiet but absolutely insistent that he didn't want a new baby and politely asked that it be sent back. Mother effectively ignored him, talking about what a big and emotional moment this was for all of them as they looked to the future of their family. Cheesy music rose to a crescendo and the video ended with hearts streaming across John's unimpressed face.