Welcome to "Hey, Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.
Telling your kids that your family is expecting a new baby can be an exciting and challenging conversation. For some children, the prospect of being a big brother or sister is thrilling; for others, it brings up anxiety and fear.
That leads us to this week's question:
How did you announce to your kids that they would soon have a new baby brother or sister?
Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.
Valerie C. We made a "baby" themed dinner with baby spinach salad, baby back ribs, baby carrots, baby (new) potatoes, & baby bella mushrooms. The four year old got it, the 2 year old not so much :) then they got big brother and big sister shirts :) via Oswego Patch
Tracy B. My son was 7 so we printed up a letter to him and framed it in a big brother frame. The letter told him how excited we were because we knew how great of a brother he would be. He opened it Christmas morning in front of the whole family via Bolingbrook Patch
Robyn D. I had a baby boy in March, after having three girls (12, 11, 3). They were the first people we told. Immediately, actually. My four year old was ecstatic! She leaped into my arms after we said "Ava, you're going to be a big sister. Mommy has a baby growing in her belly". Her response was... "Mommy is having a Superman". via Plainfield Patch
Della M: Early on I told each older sibling I had a baby in my belly. They each had fun watching my belly grow, getting to kiss and snuggle my belly. They also came to each prenatal appointment I had so they felt involved, and not left out. After each appointment we would stop for a treat as well. They absolutely adore each other, and at 9, 5, and 3, they get along fairly well together. — Naperville Patch Facebook