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Before our gender reveal, we told the toddler he was having a sister, and let’s just say he wasn’t happy… at first

Our little guy has been wanting a brother ever since he found out he was having a sibling, he asked us to ask the doctor for a brother, he clearly doesn’t yet understand how these things work, even though we corrected him. Unfortunately (for him) even after informing the sonographer of his request she let us know it was a girl so a sister it is!

Now to tell the toddler! We didn’t know how he would take it, he’s 5 and up until now he’s been an only child so we were a bit apprehensive and this is how the conversation went:

Me+Daddy: “You remember there is a baby in mummies tummy.”

Him: “Yes, my brother”

Me+Daddy: “well we’ve been to the doctor and even though we asked for a brother, she told us that it’s a girl and that you are having a sister instead!” *Nervous smiley faces!*

Him: “Eugh! but girls are stupid and I want a brother!”

Me: “But Mummy is a girl?”

Him: “Well not you, baby girls are stupid because they cry a lot.”

Me+Daddy: “All babies cry a lot, boys and girls, that’s just what babies do because they can’t talk yet.”

Him: “Can I have a brother too?”

Me+Daddy: *frantic looks and mass panic* “afraid not!”

Him: “Oh, can I push her buggy?”

Me+Daddy: “Yes”

Him: “Can I hold her?”

Me+Daddy: “Yes”

Him: “When I don’t want to hold her, do I have too?”

Me+Daddy: “No of course not”

Him: “Okay then I’ll have a sister” (because up until this point I’m pretty sure he thought he could get a refund and return her!!)

cuteness - telling the toddler he's having a sister
No Returns, No Refunds!

And he has since decided that sisters aren’t so bad! We have also decided on a few rules between us that he would like in place (because he is nothing if not thorough) and these are:

  1. He doesn’t want to be forced to hold her or cuddle her if he doesn’t want too
  2. He would like a board to stand on, on the back of the buggy so that if he doesn’t want to push it or “walk slowly”, he doesn’t have too.
  3. He would like some of his toys to be off limits.

We didn’t think any of these were unreasonable requests so we are looking at getting him a treasure chest for his special toys that he doesn’t want to share and his sister will have one too, because I am a firm believer in not having to share everything, some things should be your own and that’s okay.

family silliness, telling the toddler he's having a sister
Family silliness!

Overall it went quite well and he seems quite excited at the prospect of having a sister that he can teach gymnastics too and play in the sand pit with! So fingers crossed he will be fine, no refunds now!

 

31 comments on “Telling The Toddler He’s Having A Sister”

  1. Good post. Awe, congratulations on your pregnancy! She insisted she was having a little sister lol finally she accepted it and loves him to death now!

  2. Your son’s respone was so adorable! When we told my son he was having a sister all he could say was “The world is already full of girls!”

  3. This is such a sweet conversation. It is always such a cute one when you tell kids they are going to be an older sibling.

  4. I have known a couple of people who had to have similar conversations with their kids when they were expecting. They seem to take it all in stride. That conversation went about as well as you could expect. I am glad for you that he understands so well.

  5. So adorable! When we told our middle guy that he would be having a baby sister he also was not pleased, but now they are the best of friends, and it is fun to watch their relationship grow!

  6. We went through the same thing with my son. He wasn’t sure if he wanted a brother or a sister. I love that they grown to love each other and it never mattered. But its funny how they first react.

  7. This was such an adorable way to get him ready for a new sibling. I think it is so important to have these conversations when a child is preparing to be a big brother or sister.

  8. I love his rationale about why he doesn’t want a sister, but it seems like he finally decided girls aren’t so bad. I remember when my mom was pregnant with my brother and my sister I really hoped it wouldn’t be a boy because they were gross. Of course as soon as he was born we were thrilled to have a brother.

  9. Awh so exciting! I love his thinking process! Wait until she is here and see how he changes his little mind!

  10. It’s always exciting when you’re welcoming a new baby in the family. Telling the kids that they’re having a new sibling will make you a little nervous because you’re never sure about how they’ll take it. I think your son is adorable. It’s important that we give them the space that they need.

  11. I believe so strongly in having some toys off limits! My kids have special places for theirs and try not to play with them in front of their siblings, the system works well and seems to help 🙂

  12. Such a handsome little guy and I bet he will make a good big brother and protect her. Definitely tell him your conversation of the gender reveal to him when he is older!

  13. haha – no refunds. But, such normal feelings for him with introducing a new family member. And, you know that he will be so protective of her!

  14. Awe, congratulations on your pregnancy! I have two daughters, and would have been completely lost with a boy. My oldest daughter actually wanted a brother! lol. But she was thrilled with her sister once she was here.

  15. Haha I have to admit that made me laugh as your right. My nephew is older than my foster sister and when she first came into our house (she was three days old) he cried and told us we needed to take her back to the hospital lol x

  16. Aww! I am sure he will be fine. When I told my oldest that he was getting a little brother he was super excited to be my helper once the baby came.

  17. When my daughter found out we were having a boy, she was not amused. She insisted she was having a little sister lol finally she accepted it and loves him to death now!

  18. Love his “rules” for the new sister! Smart thinking! I had a boy first too and while mine was fine with having a sister and we didn’t have that kind of anxiety. I couldn’t tell he was wondering if there was enough room in my heart for the both of them. He was six when his sister was born and has been the best big brother. So protective. I am sure your son will be like that too! I especially love the part about add a spot to the stroller so he would have a place to ride! Adorable!

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