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MOMSense, November/December 2007
Raising Great Kids: THE Question
A painless way to explain where babies come from.
By Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
Q: I'm six months pregnant, and my preschooler has been asking a lot of questions lately about where babies come from. How much should I tell her?
A: Preschool age children are aware enough to know they come from somewhere. So there's no getting off the hook easily! But it doesn't have to be as painful as you may think. They don't need to know any of the technical side of things, so don't worry. Just tell your child, "God decided to give Mommy and Daddy a baby and you a little sister or brother. When he did, he caused the baby to begin to grow inside Mommy's tummy. And he lets the baby grow in Mommy's tummy until he or she is big enough to come out and live with us. Then, when the baby is born and joins us, it will be so much fun for you to have a new little brother or sister." That's usually as much information as you'll need to give a preschooler.
Then encourage her to watch the baby grow over the months. More importantly, you need to prepare your preschooler to become a big sister. Get her excited about preparing a space for the new baby. Let her know how excited the baby is going to be to have her as a big sister. Then give her a present from her new sibling on the day of delivery when she comes in to meet the baby so she sees the event as positive.
This special time can be a great occasion for all involved if properly prepared for, and will result in something truly beneficial for your family. In the days and months following the birth, it's important to keep your preschooler involved with the baby while also giving her plenty of attention from Mommy and Daddy. Hopefully, this experience will be a lot of fun and build a bond between your kids that will last a lifetime.
Drs. Cloud and Townsend are counselors and the authors of many books—including Raising Great Kids, Boundaries, and Mom Factor—as well as the hosts of the syndicated national radio program "New Life Live." You can experience the wit, wisdom and understanding of Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend weekly through the Monday Night Solutions Tape Club. Each week you will receive an exceptional live audio recording by the doctors mailed to your home. Their biblical solutions for relationships and life's challenges will help you invest in the future of those you love, so enroll today! For more information or for a complete list of their extensive resources and speaking engagements, call (800) 676-HOPE or visit their Web site at www.cloudtownsend.com.
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A Child's Perspective: Where Babies Come From
My 5-year-old said, "You know Mom, you're not supposed to drink when you're pregnant." Unsure of where he had heard that, or why, I just said, "That's right." Then he said, "Because if you drink, the baby in your tummy will get all wet." —Julie, Washington
When I was pregnant with our third child, our older two boys were sitting in the kitchen eating watermelon. Our eldest told our youngest, "Make sure you don't eat the seeds. Mommy ate some seeds and now she's growing a baby in her tummy." —Augusta, Virginia
One day my eldest son Zach (age 4 1/2) and I were looking at photos of me pregnant with him. He got silent for a moment and had a very confused look on his face. Then he asked me, "Mommy? Did you swallow me?" I couldn't figure out what he was asking at first and then (trying not to laugh) I asked, "Are you wondering how you got inside my belly?" "Yes," he responded, "I didn't know how I could fit in your mouth." —Steph, Oregon
My eldest son thinks that he and his baby brother came out my belly button. When I told him no, that's not it, you could see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to figure it out. I'm not sure if I am ready to explain it in detail to a 4 1/2 year old! I can just imagine what will come out of his mouth during show-and-tell at preschool. —Andi, Virginia
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Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/MomSense magazine.
Click here for reprint information on MomSense.
November/December 2007, Vol. 10, No. 6, Page 13
MomSense
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