How did you expain...

[Birbitt]

A new baby to your other children? I have a 4 and 5 yo and both seem to have a BIG misconception about what it will be like having a baby. My oldest thinks that I can just go to the baby store and buy him his new baby sister (he won't accept anything but a sister baby) and my youngest seems to think that the new baby sister (also nothing but a sister baby for him) will be an instant playmate. Oh boy I'm in deep now

 

[HeatherJay]

You might try buying a life-sized baby doll...one that feels somewhat realistic. Letting them hold it, and using it to illustrate how small and fragile a new baby will be. Let them help change diapers on the baby doll, or feed it.

You might also offer to babysit, if you have friends with an infant. And give them a real life example of what having a baby is like.

 

[seamonster]

My son is younger (almost 2), but we got him a doll that he takes care of. He knows mommy has a baby in her tummy, but he's too young to really understand a lot. Right now he takes the baby around the house, puts him in the swing or bouncer, and helps change the doll's diapers. I recently babysat a 10 week old, and my son did GREAT around her. I think having the doll really helped because he was so gentle and really patient when it came to me taking care of her.

 

[pgp_protector]

They need a baby doll with a remote to trigger it to go when you're changing it's diapers.

Then it will be realistic

 

[yummy_mummy]

so. i have heard a few different things, i've heard that parent's let the children 'pick out' their sibling in the nursery, problem, what if you're kid doesn't pick the right one? hahaa.

i have a 3 year old, and twin 2 year olds. im due in february. they understand that momma has another baby brother in her belly. the baby will be small, and i showed them pictures of them as little babies. how the baby needs lots of mommas attention, but momma loves everyone all the same. a doll wouldn't survive a day in my house, so that was not an option. they have 'loveys' (stuffed animals\blankets) and i compare a baby to their lovey. you have to be gentle, and you have to love him and not be too rough.

i explained to the kids, after i knew what it was, that way there was no "i dont want a brother, i dont want a sister" nonsense.

 

[fated]

Almost all of that will sort itself out with time (they'll feel the baby kick in your tummy and they'll see that the baby is helpless when it gets home)... Your children are plenty old enough to quickly understand the nature of the baby when you bring it home. No problems there, just make sure you don't force huge changes on them unnecessarily when the baby comes home (such as kicking one of them out of their crib... probably not an issue for you).