So, you’re pregnant, and you’re ready to share the wonderful news. But how should you let everyone know? And when’s the best time to tell the rest of your family — particularly your own parents?
Here, we’re sharing some pregnancy announcement ideas for grandparents to help take the uncertainty out of things.
By the way, spilling the beans can be fun, exciting, and beautiful — but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and supported. Maybe the baby announcement wasn’t even something that had crossed your mind to add to your pregnancy to-do list. As the moment approaches, it can feel a little daunting. There’s no ‘right way’ to handle the whens, hows, whats, and whys of telling your parents that they’re going to be grandparents. Ultimately, you should do what feels right to you.
When should you announce pregnancy to grandparents?
There’s a simple answer to this question: whenever you feel comfortable. There’s never any should when it comes to pregnancy announcements. If the news bubbles up out of you in a moment of excitement, all good. But if it takes some time to find the strength to bring it up, that’s okay too.
Many mamas-to-be decide to hold off on sharing the news until they’re past the 12-week mark (or about the end of the first trimester). That’s because the risk of pregnancy loss is quite a lot higher during this time. But there’s no rule that says you’ve got to wait.
In fact, there are some good reasons why you might want to tell the future grandparents about your pregnancy early on:
- You don’t need to pretend you’re not pregnant. This way, you sidestep the elaborate excuses for why you can’t come for sushi, or why you’re not feeling great over breakfast.
- They can be part of your support network from the get-go. That can help take a bit of pressure off you.
- You can get excited together. Simply, it can be fun. You can think about names, choose baby clothes, and make plans altogether.
But announcing the news later is totally fine too. Whether you want to make sure everything is okay with your pregnancy before you let everyone know, or you want to just take your time, it’s your choice.
(Looking for a full guide on when to announce your pregnancy?)
How to announce pregnancy to grandparents
Just like the when, the how doesn’t come with a list of rules. It’s most important to announce the news in a way that feels right to you.
That said, your folks might be pretty high on the list of who you want to tell. And however you tell them, it’s sure to be a memorable, special, and life-changing moment.
Here are some baby announcement ideas, tips, and snippets of advice for pregnancy announcements for grandparents-to-be.
Tips for pregnancy announcements to grandparents
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There’s no harm in keeping things simple. No-one’s saying you have to do something elaborate, involving baby announcement products, parties, and speeches, or writing your announcement in the sky with an airplane. If you’d enjoy planning something big, go for it, but telling your parents straight can be just as special.
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Involve the rest of your family. Families come in all shapes and sizes and it can be really meaningful if your loved ones are there by your side to make the announcement with you. That could mean pets, other children, or anyone else. Adding a new member to your family is a big moment for you all.
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Pictures speak louder than words. An image of your first ultrasound can be a great way to share the news without you having to say anything at all. If you print it and frame it, it can be a special memento for the new grandparents too.
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Say it with a card. Likewise, if you’re too full of excitement to say the words yourself, you could write them down in a card, give it to your parents, and wait for their reaction.
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Ask for ‘advice’. Sometimes, the subtle approach is the best one. Asking the new grandma or grandpa to help choose some baby clothes can be a way for you to share the news without making a formal announcement.
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Make something. Why not share the news with some creative baby announcement ideas for grandparents? You can make or order personalized t-shirts, mugs, puzzles, cakes, or signs. The internet is full of pretty unique options.
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Will you surprise grandparents with pregnancy? Do your folks know you’ve been trying to conceive, or will the news come out of the blue? This might have an impact on the way you tell them.
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Be prepared for a challenging reaction. You know your parents better than we do. But baby announcements don’t always go quite the way you plan. Being clear about your feelings — and having some support alongside you — can help if your announcement doesn’t go as you hoped.
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Tie it in with a family holiday. After all, it’s all about you growing your family! We love these Christmas pregnancy announcements for the most wonderful time of the year.
Long-distance pregnancy announcement ideas for grandparents
Sometimes you can’t be together physically when you share the news. But technology’s a wonderful thing. There are still plenty of ways to make the announcement special.
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Send a surprise. A card, message, or a personalized gift that arrives by mail can be a really thoughtful way to share the news (added bonus: the new grandparents will have something to keep forever). And getting them to open it while you’re all live on a video call can make the announcement even more special, as you can watch their reaction.
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Please find attached. An email may not sound like the best way to announce a pregnancy, but it can be fun — and very surprising. You can even write it as if it’s from your little peanut, for extra fun. Remember to attach the image of the ultrasound, if that’s what you want to do.
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Save the date. You aren’t all together now, but hopefully you will be soon. Revealing the due date (or the date of a baby shower or gender reveal party) and letting them guess what’s going on can be fun. And it will help you remember you’ll be able to see each other and celebrate in person soon.
Good luck announcing your big news to the grandparents-to-be! One more step on the road to mamahood…