It’s one thing to announce your pregnancy when you have meticulously planned and prayed for a child. Everyone is waiting patiently for the big announcement and when it finally comes, it warrants nothing less than a ticker tape parade.
When you get pregnant unexpectedlyteenager, being unwed, having sworn to anyone who will listen that you were DONE, or worse falling into the advanced maternal age category, it can be a completely different story.
It may feel a bit more anxiety ridden because, though it may be the greatest unexpected blessing to ever come into your life, you fear what others reactions might be. I’ve come up with a few ways to break the news to unsuspecting friends and family members.
- Wear a t-shirt to a family BBQ that reads, “Oops, We did it again!”
- Change your profile photo on your Facebook wall to your sonogram photo with the caption, “Surprise! Baby #3 coming this fall!”
- Photo Bomb the next group family photo by holding up a sign that says, “We’re pregnant again!” No one will be the wiser until the proofs come back.
- Have your husband/boyfriend tell his parents by himself, so you don’t have to see their initial reaction. (This also works for announcing your engagement to your Mother-in-law after only dating for four months.)
- Take a photo of your positive pregnancy test and text it to your entire list of family and friends. They will be notified and you won’t have to hear any stupid comments or see any eye rolls.
- Mail sonogram photos to your family with the caption, “ Guess what?”
- At your youngest birthday 5Th birthday party, have her open a present that is a t-shirt that says, “I’m the Big Sister!” and have her hold it up high to show everyone. See how long it takes for everyone to figure it out.
- Send Christmas cards with your baby bump on it that says, " A Great Joy is Coming!"
- At Thanksgiving dinner, have everyone go around the dinner table and when it gets to your husband have him say how very thankful he is for this latest blessing that has come into your family’s life, a new addition. It will set the tone for the entire rest of the family.
- Have your husband/boyfriend send a card with a photo on the front of you with your head in the toilet that reads, "Mary Jo has a problem." People will think you have an eating disorder and be really worried. On the inside the card should say, "Morning sickness." Everyone will be relieved that you are not "sick".
The bottom line is that a baby is a blessing, whether they are expected or unexpected and people should react in kind. Anyone who gives an eye roll or snide remark should get a throat punch.
How did you announce your pregnancy?
Image via MrsRaggle/Flickr
