One of the biggest moments in the lives of parents is finding out that they are going to have a child. Of course, as first-time mommies and daddies, they are likely to have tons of questions ranging from how often prenatal health visits need to be scheduled to whether mom should breastfeed or opt for bottled formula.
Well, surprisingly, all of those doubts and inquiries don't go away the second time around. In fact, having a second child can be even more nerve-wracking because it means you need to let your oldest lovebug know what is going on.
When and how you break the news to your first-born are all questions you and your partner need to answer. Luckily, there are some tips that can make revealing your baby bump a bit less scary.
Parenting.com recommends:
1) Understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all answer
Each tiny tot is different and that is why as a mom or dad, you should do your homework and evaluate your child's personality. If he is mature, then it may not be a bad idea to tell him about baby number two around the end of your first trimester.
However, keep in mind that running to tell your kid immediately after finding out the news isn't the best idea. Although there are some children that appear more grown-up than others, most are likely to not really understand what it means to have a sibling on the way.
2) Telling your kid before other adults
Know that keeping them in the dark may make your child nervous. "Even young children are quite perceptive, and not knowing what's going on with Mommy could make kids feel anxious," Janeen Hayward, founder of the online resource for expecting parents, Swellbeing, told Parenting.com.
3) Pairing the news with a recognizable milestone
Does your due date fall around October 31 or December 25? If so, let your lovebugs know that their baby brother or sister will arrive around Halloween or Christmas. This will give your kid a frame of reference that they will be able to grasp.