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The affirmation of the pregnancy test has just proven that you are to welcome a new member in your family and the news is nothing less than exciting. Because this is not your first pregnancy you can give all your attention to the growing family.

Your children should be let on in the news, but when? Depending on the age you should judge the time. Those children, who have crossed age nine, are generally happy to know that a baby is soon to join the family. They have enough maturity to understand that it will be still nine more months for the baby to be born.

The process of childbirth is beyond the understanding of kids from the age of five to nine. They will note the changes in your physical appearance and will be full of question all the time.

Children who are toddlers would not be able to understand the nine months time of pregnancy. In case of toddlers and very young children the end of the second trimester will be right time to share the news. This ensures that the time for which they have to wait is not that long and you would also be prepared to satisfy their queries for a short time.

No matter of what age they are, children's questions must be handled with sensitivity. Plan family session where you can discuss the topic of the new arrival of another brother or sister with your present children. Explain to them that you will be going through emotional and physical transformations so that they would not be upset to see you experience pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness.

Sharing feelings is very crucial. Ask your children what they are feeling regarding their new family member. Let them know that it is acceptable if they are feeling pangs of envy or are frightened. Ask them the reason for it exactly and ease out their ruffled feathers. Perhaps they are concerned that they would lose all their favorite toys to the baby. Tell them that the new baby will get new toys, and they may feel secured. Your child can also accompany you when you go out shopping things for your soon to arrive baby.

As the due date comes closer, make your children ready for your stay at the hospital. They will need explanations about why the delivery should be taking place at the hospital. Also tell them that you will be away for just two or three days and that they can surely visit you at the hospital. When packing your overnight bag for the stay at hospital, you can also pack their backs if they are to stay at a relative's place or with a close friend. Let each child pick up a simple gift for the baby like socks or bibs. They can also buy colorful wrapping paper to pack the gifts in and present it to the baby. You can return the gifts from the new baby by buying small items for the children and giving it to them when they come.

A little bit of understanding and cooperation from you will ease out the tension involving a new arrival.