Perhaps you're worrying how to tell your toddler that there's a baby on the way. Or maybe you're thinking how long you should wait before you can reveal the big news to your child.
Well, no need to worry! According to Dr. Daniel Blake, Ph.D., a child psychologist in Detroit, Michigan, a child as young as two years old can understand the news. Parents just need to break the news in a "very positive experience" to make the announcement comprehensible to your child's level of understanding.
So, to make it special and happy time for you and your family, here some great ideas you can use to tell the pregnancy news to your toddler.
Throw an intimate party.
Decorate your house like you're celebrating a birthday party. Put some colorful balloons and flowers. Then, invite your whole family for a lunch or a dinner. After eating, serve a cake emblazoned with "Surprise!" or any other phrase that can perfectly indicate that your family is growing. Announcing the news in a celebratory way can make your child understand that it is a great news and there is nothing to fear about it.
Watch an educational movie together.
Watch a movie together that ultimately shows the arrival of a new sibling. After watching the film, you can tell your child that you are pregnant and just like the character in the movie, he will soon get a younger sibling. If your child raises his concerns, talk about it and reassure him that his place is secure.
Take a picture.
Tell your kid that you want to take his picture. Then, instead of saying "cheese," you can cheerfully say "We're going to have a new baby," suggested by Margot Hovley, author of the novels "Sudden Darkness" and "Glimmering Light." But always remember the news might sadden your kid, so asking if there is something worrying him or if has any questions is also a point to consider.
It is normal for the older siblings to be worried about their mother going through pregnancy. Hence, it is very important for the parents to make the child understand that he will still be 100% love. Surely, he will become really excited about it and would gladly tell everyone that there's a new baby coming!
