It’s always a joy to hear when one of our families is expecting a baby! 🎉
But while this can be a happy and exciting time, it can also bring mixed emotions – especially for children.

🕰️ When Should We Tell Our Child?

We recommend keeping the news private until after your 12-week scan.
Why? Young children might:

• 😟 Feel unsettled or anxious

• 😠 Show anger, shout, cry, or hit

• 😔 Feel sad, worried, or jealous

They may not fully understand their feelings – but they are trying to tell you something. ❤️
It’s our role as adults to help them express and manage those big emotions.

😢 Sadness

Your child might feel sad if:

• You're too tired to play or spend time together

• They see you focusing more on the baby

💡 What can help?
🎨 Plan low-energy games and activities
👨‍👩‍👧 Ask other family members to help with childcare
🧺 Involve your child in baby routines – let them be a “helper”

💚 Jealousy

Jealousy may come from:

• 👶 Baby getting lots of attention

• 👩 Having to “share” you with someone new

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Feeling replaced in a blended family

💡 What can help?
💬 Remind your child that everyone is loved
🧸 Give them small caring tasks to support baby
🎉 Celebrate your child’s helpfulness and kindness with family and friends

😰 Worry or Anxiety

Children may worry because:

• 🏥 Hospitals seem scary

• 🤰 Mum looks and feels different

• 👂 They don’t understand babies cry when they need something

💡 What can help?
📚 Talk honestly about pregnancy and birth (here’s a great guide)
💬 Reassure them medical visits help keep everyone healthy
⭐ Give them age-appropriate jobs so they feel important
🍼 Explain that crying is how babies “talk”

😠 Anger

Your child might act out because:

• 🤷 They don’t understand what they’re feeling

• 🧸 They’re being asked to share space, toys, or clothes

💡 What can help?
🕰️ Make time to talk about their worries
🎁 Let them choose something to “gift” the baby
🎨 Involve them in decorating or organising shared spaces
🧸 Respect toys they don’t want to share
🎈 Give a small “gift from baby” to celebrate their role as big brother or sister

🧠 Summary: What Children Need

• ✅ Accept your child's feelings – all emotions are valid

• 🗣️ Model healthy ways to express emotions

• 👂 Listen during natural moments – bedtime, playtime, car rides

• 🏫 Tell school – so we can support their learning and well-being

📚 Helpful Resources

🎥 "Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?"
A feel-good guide to daily happiness
🔗 Watch on YouTube

📖 "How Do I Feel About Our New Baby?"
🔗 View on Google Books
📚 Available in our school library

📖 "First Experiences" Series
Helpful books on new babies, moving house, going to school, and more
🔗 View on Google Books
📚 Available in our school library

🎨 Mood Tracker
Let your child colour their feelings with this printable mood flower
🔗 Download here

😊 Use Emojis to Explore Feelings
For little ones or non-verbal children, emojis and feeling scales can help communicate how strong emotions feel

Let us know if you’d like a printed copy of these resources or want to borrow any of the books from our library. We're here to support you and your growing family every step of the way! 💕