Telling your children they’re getting another sibling help

[ReD96]

We’re telling our 3 daughters next week we’re expecting number 4, what’s the most fun and creative ways you’ve told your kids they’re getting another sibling?
they're 7,9&11
any tips? Things you did your kid loved?

Blimey. We just said to ours, 'We're having another baby' when they were roughly that age.

The two youngest just went, 'Oh, ok.' and the eldest said (grumpily) 'I thought you were going to say we were getting a dog'.

Don't be disappointed if they aren't as joyfully ecstatic as you hope. I'd just tell them casually rather than making it a big deal.

Just tell them?

Yeah don't overegg it. They might not be thrilled and you don't want to add extra pressure.

LOL I remember beating my mum to the punch and telling my siblings we were getting another sibling.

I was around 12, siblings were 10, 7, and 5. We were having our breakfast in another room, and I heard her on the phone telling her best friend. Naturally I then immediately told my siblings. They didn't believe me. They did when mum then called us in and told us the news.

So tbh just tell them. None of us were particularly excited. We weren't disappointed either at least. It just wasn't a big deal to us.

Just tell them. They might be thrilled, they might need some time. Either way, it’s too big a thing to
make into a surprise.

You could just tell them, as others have suggested. But I found even “just telling” my 3yo quite awkward. Like when was the right time, how do I choose my words etc!

Things I’ve seen from others:
Big sister/big sister again tops
Or the opposite, a little baby onesie (the friend I saw do this the kids were younger than yours and it took them a little minute to figure out!)
Opening up a scan picture
Give them a card from the new baby

You’re their parent so you know best whether they’d take best to a surprise or whether you’re best sitting down and just telling them!

We told mine during a photoshoot and honestly it didn’t go fab for the then youngest. Oldest was absolutely over the moon and crying happy tears. Youngest then stormed out and didn’t speak to me for the rest of the night 🙈 I should point out, our photographer has known us since both were babies and we’re friends, so she wasn’t a complete stranger.

If it ever happened again, I’d absolutely tell them in private!

Don't make a big deal of it. You're pressuring them to be super excited about something that's a lot to process. Getting a new sibling is bound to spark some mixed feelings (even though it's lovely news ).

I'd tell them casually, reassure them that you'll still have time for whatever is important to them, and welcome questions.

in the end we put a baby vest and the scan photo in a box and they all opened it together, they where all so so excited and my middle child cried she was so happy ❤️
they have all wanted a baby sibling for a while and because they’re all close in age none of them remember each other being baby’s.

im glad we chose to do something a bit special for them