Any cute ideas on how to tell a 3 year old he's going to be a big brother?
I'm going to be 10 weeks tomorrow and I have the first ultrasound scheduled on Wednesday. I was thinking about bringing him to the ultrasound with me and telling him then.
Do you think it's too soon to tell him?
Serious answers only please.
2007-02-16T17:31:42Z
I've already had my first appointment, this is my second. My mom will be coming also and keeping him entertained while I get the results of the ultrasound.
Also, my son has a memory that's unbelievable. He talks about things that happened almost a year ago. Even his doctors are amazed with him.
Anonymous2007-02-16T17:39:49Z
Favorite Answer
I don't think it's too soon at all. I think your son sounds like a smart little boy, and will probably grasp the concept pretty quickly. I think it would be great to do something that would make him feel like this is a special thing for him, too. I only have one, but have thought about what I'll do for my daughter when the time comes. What about the book that they have for big brothers? If he likes reading, you explain to him that he will be a big brother, too. I wanted to tell you a good idea I read a while ago, once it comes time to have the baby, have a "big brother" party for your son! That will make him feel extra special and recognized even though all the attention will be on you and the baby for a while. Maybe it would help make that transition a little easier. Congratulations!
I personally think it's too soon. 9 months is a long time to wait for any parent, but for a 3 year old, it's an eternity!
I just gave birth for the second time, and my oldest will be 3 in May. I know he's not as old as yours, but we told my son about 3 months early. And even then, as the time was approaching, he was totally bored with the subject and had given up hoping a baby brother would come.
About taking him to the ultrasound, will it be your first prenatal visit? If so, they're proably going to ask you to strip down and put on a gown so they can check you all out (mine did). And since it's so early on in your pregnancy, the ultrasound will most likely be vaginal because the baby's still too little to see anything with a stomach ultrasound. Do you really want your 3 year old there when you're stripped down and they put a probe inside you?
Just from personal experience, I took my son to a few appts later on (about 7-8 months) so he could hear the heartbeat. The first time he hated it. Seeing his mommy laying on her back on a table was traumatizing for him, and he hated the Doppler (the machine that allows you to hear the heartbeat), he thought it was going to hurt me. He kept saying, "Sit up Mommy! Sit up!" and trying to pull me up, and he told the doctor she needed to stop and kept asking if she was all done. The doctor thought it was cute how protective he was of me, but I just felt really bad for him because he didn't understand. With your 3 year old it should be easier if you take him, but you should still explain to him what will happen so he's not freaked out by it.
EDIT: The ultrasound will still probably be vaginal. What's the point of bringing him if he can't come in while you're having it done?
definitely let him come to see his new baby brothe or sister! just get him some books on being the new big brother, there are many out there. I would suggest taking pictures with him and your belly every month to show him the growth. maybe even get him a t-shirt that says hes going to be a big brother soon. let him pick out an outfit for the baby. with the memory he has, as does my 3 yo daughter, he'll remember when the baby is born and want to give it to the baby. good luck!
He's 3. He's not going to understand anything, cute or otherwise. Plus it's too far away. That's FOREVER for a preschooler. Wait til he notices that you're getting big and then tell him there's a baby in there. Or if he notices baby stuff coming into the house, tell him there's a baby coming.
Not to be negative.....but the problem I would have is, what if something is wrong at the ultrasound and your son is there? Chances are everything is fine...but I always think of the "what if's".