How to broach baby news to teenagers?

[RaindropsAndRoses]

DP and I have just found out we are expecting a baby, complete surprise and wasn't planned but we are over the moon. We each have 2 DC (mine are 16 and 14, his are 18 and 15) from previous marriages and whenever subject of a baby has come up in conversation before they have all been dismissive and said it would 'embarrassing'. Anyone else been in this position? Any advice?

We were in exactly the same boat as you! It was planned however, although I was getting on a bit so we were still surprised it happened, and so soon! We hadn't told them we were trying (19, 17, 15 at the time) and whenever it had come up in conversation although none of expressed major dislike, none sounded at all interested and the 15yo said it would be 'well embarrassing'. However when we told them, although no one said much, you could kind of feel the excitement bubbling in all 3 of them. As the pregnancy went on though they couldn't hide it any more and by the end were probably more excited than me and DH as we were crapping ourselves. So my only advice is, don't push anything on them, if they don't want to be involved in preparation etc let them come round themselves, and don't forget just because they are teens it doesn't mean they won't get jealous, their hormones will still be all over the place so just like you would if they were a younger child, make sure to spend quality time with them throughout the pregnancy (although I know this can be hard with teens, I don't tend to enjoy sitting on the xbox with my son ).

Urgh you mean you've been having sex ?

Haven't been in your situation (yet, I'm still at the casual mentions/ preparing to TTC stage).

I predict a lot of eye rolling. But they'll get over it and when they baby arrives they'll be enchanted.

Congratulations

DC5 was born when her siblings were 15, 17, 19 and 21. We took them all out for a meal and told them together. They knew something was up as there was no "occasion" for the meal. They were a bit shocked and the youngest said "youare joking, aren't you".

Likewise tallulah, we took ours out for a meal. They were 16, 18 and 22. We started the meal by saying that someone had to leave home or share. The oldest two got it straight away and were very pleased. While they were congratulating us, the 16 yr old was still saying 'you're joking, why do I have to leave home, what have I done'! It took her a few minutes to realise everyone else was laughing and hugging!
The joking didn't harm relationships both the 16 & 18 were old were there at the birth, and the 16 yr old cut the umbilical cord!

A baby in the house is the best contraceptive a teenager can have!