telling siblings

[ernest]

We're going to tell our ds's tomorrow and would like to try and make it fun/special/momorable, not just, by the way kids, mummy's up the duff/ you're going to have a new bro/sister in the summer.

So, wise one any great ideas? (they're 8, 6 & 4 tomorrow btw)

Is your youngest 4 tomorrow? Would it be a good idea to hold off for a day or week or so? The reason I say that is that he/she might feel a bit put out to be told he's not going to be the baby anymore on his birthday. IYSWIM.

it is his birthday tomorrow, We have considered this, but want to tell them this weekend, suppose could postpone till Sunday, but I doubt he'll be put out, I'm 100% sure all 3 will be really happy about it, but would just like a fun way of telling them. We wouldn't say happy birthday ds, btw, there's anotherone on the way, so it's about itme you grew up.

Anyway, fine, Sunday, but any ideas how to do it nicely?

Make it into a guessing game?

Why not send the youngest a special Birthday card from his brother or sister to be?

LedodgyDickinson, I like that!
Buda, also sounds great - any more details as I'm as tired as a dog, ds3 is as sick as a dog and I have no mental capacity. Hence me asking you wonderful lot to do my thinkinh in the 1st palce

Sorry - no good on details! I am the big ideas person!

Will have a think.

I wasn't for a moment suggesting that you say "there's another one on the way, it's about time you grew up". I was merely suggesting that a very young child might be a bit put out to think that he won't be the baby of the family anymore and that combined with his birthday might make it a bit hard for him.

id say let the news speak for itself...and then let them decide for themselves how they feel about it..ie if they want sing and dance about it

that was tongue in cheek piggy, honest. I just don't think a kid that age can think mummy's pg = be getting knocked off my perch. He might well feel that once baby's here, but hearing the news I think won't bring that reaction. Anyway, they've got a new cousin, she's 3 months now and they've seen her a couple of times and they are crazy about her, really all dote on her, sing to her dance around to make her laugh. and ds3 goes to a childminder where there's a lo who's just turned a year, he's been with her since she was a baby and he really loves her and is so sweet with her. I know for sure they'll all be thrilled. I just wanted to make it special that's ll.

I'd say he'd take it more like a birthday surprise than being ususrped, but I didn't mean it to come across as mean, honest!

Ernest - how about some sort of treasure hunt, with little clues for the oldest to read to the others?

can't think of anything else really and I think telling them tomorrow would be a special time.

Let us know what they say, I want to see a photo!!

Deb

We showed ours the scan and had them try to guess what it was (though at 6.5 and 5 they are a bit younger than yours).

I discussed it with dh, who looked at me like I was mad, and said fgs just bloody tell them.

So after ds did a birthday present treasure hunt we sat them down and said we had 1 more surprise for the. Then, like jennifersofia, we showed them the scan picture and asked if they could guess what it was. Ds1's face immediately lit up and he said 'that's a picture of a baby, omg, you haven't got a baby growing in your tummy have you? Have you etc omg, I'm going to be a big big big brother. Then - It BETTER be a boy, mind', then he phoned all the relatives and said in such a bloody excited voice you'll never guess what etc etc. He was soooo chuffed. ds3 was also very excited but distracted by his presents. Was quite pleased about being a big brother and ket standing on tip toes to show how big he is (He's the tiniest 4 year old in the world). And poor ds2 has got ds 3's bug and lay on the settee groaning, before puking up spectacularly everywhere.

Ds 1 has already decided on 2 names we can choose from (George or Peter), so clearly lo better be a boy. Tho they said the same about thier cousin in the summer and she turned out to be a girl and they said the still really love her, despite that.

Had a nap and ds1 rushed up asking how I was, was baby wiggling etc etc so That went down very well thank you.

Ta for all your ideas

So pleased it went well, they sound as excited as mine were.Hope ds2 feels better soon.

Deb