Curious Preschooler with Many Questions About Pregnancy & Birth

Hi M.,

I got a great book for my kids. It's called "Where Did I Come From" and it's by Peter Mayle. But I think that a 4 year old is too young for this book. I think I read it to my kids when they were about 8 years old. But good book for the future.

--D.

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There is an awesome book out there called "What to expect when Mommies expecting" It uses kids terms to explain everything and has exercises the kids can do to know what it is like inside the womb for the baby. It was very helpful during my last two pregnancies with my older two boys. I highly recommend it!!

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"It's Not the Stork" By Robie Harris. FABULOUS!! Good for ages 4+ and then there are verions for older children (later). Cartoon charachters explain it all in age apporpriate language.

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When I was pregnant with my second child, my son, who was two was also very curious about what was going on. I was honest and simplified the process but did tell him where the baby comes out from in very clear terms. I think that we pass on our own feelings to our children so that if we are okay with what we are telling them, then they are okay with it too. And once I told him, that made sense. You could try using an anatomy book. That way, it's not as personal to your own body. But I found with my children that clear and honest works best and alleviates more questions.

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Hi M., I am in the same position. I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old and am 22 weeks pregnant with my third boy. My oldest was asking a lot of questions in the beginning, like, how's it going to come out? When is it going to come out? I just told him that when the baby got big enough in my tummy that I would go to the hospital and the doctor would help me get the baby out. This seemed to be good enough for him. As for how it got in there, he has not asked me, but I would just say "because Mommy and Daddy love eachother so much that a baby grew". I think that is all they can handle at this point. They really don't want specifics, just simple answers. Mine also asks me why the sky is blue...I told him to ask his preschool teacher! ;-)

Good luck!
L.

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Hi - I went through this when my daughter was 4. I asked her pre-school teacher for suggestions. I told her first you get married and then you pray really hard to get a baby. That worked for a little while. When she turned 6 or 7 I got a book and explained it to her for real. Four was just too young for the truth in my opinion.

I joined Mothers and More to meet other Moms.

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My husband and I follow two basic principles: first, ask what they think is the answer; it gives you an idea what they will understand and how detailed you have to be. Then, answer, bearing in mind that they will stop you before you give too much information. Either they will lose interest and get distracted, or, once old enough, they'll actually tell you its too much information.

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It looks like you've gotten lots of great answers of advice already, but just wanted to share that when my older son was five years old and we got the news of a friend expecting a baby, he turned to me and; "Momma, I know that the baby is in the Momma's tummy and that there's a special opening for the baby to come out..... but...... I'm just wondering...... what does the Daddy have to do with it? Huh? What does he have to do with it?" LOL!!! :D
Blessings,
D.

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M.,

Sorry I have no advice on the subject. My kids are 7, 6 and 3. Thank goodness my older two were happy just knowing that their younger sister was cut out of mommy. That was the only upside to my first and only c-sec.

Anyway, I wanted to see if you wanted to swap ideas on living natural and green and healthy because I do the same thing. E-mail me at ____@____.com if you are interested. We live in Lakehurst.

Good luck and congrats on your 3rd!

T.

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Hi M.,
I have a curious preschooler at home too - and he's asked the same questions many times (my baby is due in 2 weeks). Because we have a large family (this will be our sixth child) we've come across this many times :) I am still a bit shy about the details, but have found that it's best to just be honest and let your little ones know as much as you feel comfortable telling them - and in the most easily understandable way. My four year old hasn't asked how the baby got in my belly (his 6 year old sibling told him that there are seeds in my stomach that plant babies!), but he asks how it will come out, and I let him know it will come out between my legs (he laughs and I have to tell him that it will come out of my vagina so he knows it's not the same hole he has down there). I find it a little funny because he came in the bathroom just as his brother was being born (but he was 2). I think it's best to share this information with children honestly - they sure can come up with some strange ideas if we are less than forthcoming about how life works :) I remember my Mother telling me that her Mother told her that women got pregnant because of a special look a man gave them. My Mother was afraid to look men in the eyes for quite some time!
Wishing you all the best in your pregnancy and with your growing family,
G. S

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