other kids and homebirth

Quoting *Lolo*:" So im kind of sad. We were talking the other day and joking around that everyone would be going around ... [snip!] ... want to be around for the birth. Has anyone else had a similar reaction from your kids? how did you prep them or involve them?"

I asked my older daughter who was 13 at the time if she wanted to be there when her sister was born and she said "No thanks"...just not ready to see that". So I wouldn't take it as anything more than them just not being ready to see all that comes with child birth. Yes it's a beautiful thing and I understand you want your entire family to be apart of it, but I wouldn't force the issue. Just offer to answer any questions they have and maybe ask what makes them so uncomfortable with the issue

if they didn't want to be there than I wouldnt force them too, it could be a beautiful experience for you but could potentially be really scary and graphic for a child that isnt ready to see or experience that....could cause PTSD, I would be cautious about forcing them to be home for it.

It should be your child's decision whether or not they are there. You can try to ease any fears they have, but forcing them or guilting them into it could be traumatizing to them and create an environment that would inhibit your labor. I am all for having kids there, but they should want to be there.