Do you let your kids watch A Baby Story?

[Disney1fan2002]

My DD is 6 and she just loves that show! She loves anything that has to do with babies, but someone HAVING a baby, is her highlight.

She has been watching it since she was 4, and I have always been able to answer any questions she has had with an age appropriate response, while keeping it real.

Growing up, sex talk and reproduction was TABOO in my house, even though my mom and dad had 15 kids! LOL. My mom was just not comfortable talking about it with us. As an adult (late teens, early 20's) she was much more open. So, giving my history, I always thought I would have a hard time with it like my mom did. I am amazed at how at ease I am when answering the kids questions. I realize, this is life, and hiding the kids from the truth does nothing. If anything, it will help them become a shy, introverted adult.

The reason I ask about allowing the kids to watch Baby Story, is recently, my sisters found out I let DD watch it, and they were shocked. They think she is too young. I never even really gave it a thought. When she started watching it at 4, I figured she was too young to understand what was really happening, but now that she has been watching at for 2 + years, it is a way to open the door for Q&A sessions. I have even considered, if I ever have another child, (not that I am planning on it, but if I ever do) of letting her in for the delivery. This is where the whole subject came up with my sister's. One of my sister's is pregnant, and she has an 11 yo DD. I asked her is she would consider having her DD in for the birth. ( I just think it would be neat for a sibling to watch their baby brother or sister enter the world, being old enough to understand what is happening). My sister's are more old fashioned like my mom than I am I guess, because they think I am a fruit cake for even considering it.

 

[jellymanoffspring]

No , I don't ...I want grandchildren someday...

My DD is squeamish....I probably could not have watched it before I had children myself!

 

[pw2pp]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with her watching it.
Childbirth is a completely natural thing.
Some children witness the actual births of their siblings LIVE and in person!

 

[mickeyboat]

My DD's (4 and 5) watch it too. They love it and it gives us a good segway into questions they have about the process. I give age-appropriate answers, of course.

Denae

 

[cl1067]

I have let my oldest DD watch it since she was about 4. She had asked to be in the room when DD# 2 came along, since she was only 5 at the time I said no, but about two months later she happened to walk in while I was watching something on TLC that actually showed the baby coming out, and she stopped, watched it and as I sat there and prepared to answer a million questions, she looked at me and went "That's it! That's why I couldn't be in there when the baby came?!"

I about fell over laughing!

 

[Sandy22]

I've always let my DS12 watch it with me...though he hasn't been interested in the last few years...to be expected for a boy!

Compared to all the garbage that kids are exposed to on TV, I say there's nothing wrong with showing the miracle of life. It's not like anything graphic is shown - all private parts are blurred out.

 

[mtemm]

my kids are very young (3 and 13 months) and its not really an issue yet...they have all seen A Baby Story. will I let them continue to see it as they get older and more aware? yep. big difference between that and some of the birth shows on discovery health and the like. I think they are handled very discreetly, aren't very scary, and all have happy outcomes.

Speaking of A Baby Story, anyone else have a favorite episode? Is it wrong for me to like the one where the dad faints? LOL! funniest ever. they start the show talking about how strong they are, they are both outdoorsy, etc. When push comes to shove (no pun intended...well, maybe), She starts shrieking and he passes out. poor nurses didn't know which way to run.

 

[CEDmom]

I don't watch the show so I don't really have a reason to have my DD watch it. I have seen it and I don't think it gets all that graphic where I'd object to her watching it. But believe me she asks enough questions about were babies come from we don't really need a TV show to prompt a discussion. Anytime we see a pregnant woman I'm ready for the questions to just start flying.

I know this isn't any of my business but I'd think long and hard about actually letting your DD watch you give birth. It's one thing to watch an edited TV show about complete strangers but to actually watch your own mother go through the painful birthing process might be a little too much. I know my own DD would be beyond upset.

 

[Castlebound]

I have no problem with my kids watching it. I think that it is great when they ask questions. For me the show is a wonderful way to talk about an awkward subject, without my DS (7) feeling like I'm bring it up just to embarrass him.

As far as kids being there for their sibling's birth, I think that depends on the child. Is the fact that mom is in pain going to bother them? Are they going to be grossed out that childbirth is messy? Just because they can watch someone who is not their mom go through childbirth that doesn't mean that they are ready to see their mom go through it. If the parents and the child both think that the child will handle it well then go for it.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've watched it with my 5 and 8 year old and thought nothing of it and thought there was no harm in it and nothing wrong with it.

We haven't watched it in about 6 months or so but sometimes out of the blue my 5 year old says she doesn't want to be a mommy when she grows up because it will hurt. It breaks my heart so we won't be watching it anymore.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

DD4 watches it at my mom's house sometimes. And she's watched it for about a year. Thanks to that show, I don't have to explain how babies are born.

About being there for a birth, I would say no to that. I wouldn't even want to be there!

 

[ahutton]

I've let my girls watch that, but would not allow them in the room with me. There are too many possibilities that something could go wrong, even with a good outcome the stress would be more than I would put my kids through. It was hard enough on them to visit me the day after my C-Section - I was pumped so full of fluids and pale that neither wanted to be close to me, they were too scared.

 

[Kimickey]

DH and I let our DD(6) watch Baby Story. She loves watching how babies are born. She knows where babies come from (not a stork) and understands in her way how babies are born (not being left on the steps by the stork either). Either by C-section or naturally. My daughter asks DH and I about everything on her body and is not ashamed.

 

[jajuan]

My kids have seen it. My DS9 was in the room when my last one was born. We told him what to expect and my best friend was in there with him so DH could pay attention to me. It was a wonderful experience. DD7 at the time said no and then wanted to at the last minute, but it was over too fast. She has seen the video though. I would do it all again

 

[always quiet]

Cute story about this. When the older 2 kids were in school and my youngest was 4 or 5 (kindergarten age), her and I used to watch the show together. She loved the show and aside from her asking when I was going to have another BABY, there weren't any uncomfortable moments. One afternoon, the older 2 kids were home from school. My older DD (who was 9) asked what we were watching. The younger one tells her what the show is about. She tells her sister "You don't know how babies are born!", in her know-it-all-big-sister voice. My 4 yr old proudly announces "Yes I do!! Like this!!", and proceeds to pull her knees back to her chest, blowing and grunting the whole time. Yep! That's how it's done!!

 

[Disney Ella]

When my kids were in preschool, it was one of their favorite shows. The edited version of a birth is a lot different from the real thing, though, and I don't think I'd want them in the delivery room. But then I wouldn't want anyone but DH there.

 

[FreshTressa]

No , I don't ...I want grandchildren someday...

My DD is squeamish....I probably could not have watched it before I had children myself!

Exactly...I let my daughter at 4 watch it, not thinking anything of it, and ever since then she is determined that she will NEVER have a baby!!!

I hope she grows out of it!

 

[Kermit]

I'll let my children watch childbirth videos when they're that age, but probably not Baby Story. I'm a natural childbirth instructor, and those screaming women who aren't educated about how to effectively control their pain irritate me. I have my own videos that provide a much more "detailed view" but have calm, happy women, and I'll be happy to let my kids watch those. I want my children to think of childbirth as an exciting time, not a scary event.

A few months ago, I was watching a new video I had just gotten in the mail. Jacob was almost 2, and I didn't even think about him being in the room. As the baby's head started to crown, he looked up at the TV, pointed to it, and said, "That's baby!" I have no idea how he knew, but he was very excited when the baby was out.

 

[bajanswife]

My DS could give a perfect impersonation of a woman in the throes of childbirth when he was 3 or 4, sound effects and all! He didn't watch it a lot, but he watched it enough .... and he's a natural mimic.

DD was too young when her younger sister was about to be born - she didn't really take in too much from the show. After my younger DD was born I was done with kids, so no more Baby Story!

I only watched it occasionally anyway, more out of pure curiosity about how run of the mill hospital births in the U.S. were happening - I certainly didn't use it as a learning tool for myself except when the very occasional water birth came on (that's how I had the DDs).

 

[elliemae1192]

My DD loves the show. We started watching together 3 years ago when she was 5. I was pregnant with her little brother and she had a zillion questions. I answered her questions as honestly as I could without being too graphic. When she asked me where the baby comes out, I explained to her that when the time came God made a special place for that. A few weeks later we were watching A Baby Story and she said "OH, I see where the baby comes out! In the doctor's office!" I realized then that she could handle the whole truth.