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Dear Savvy Auntie,

My brother is about to have his second child. I have been in the delivery room for two births including his first child and my other nephew.

I really don't want to hurt his feelings but he expects me to be in the delivery room again. I mean I know it is an honor but I am a teenager with no experiences in that kind of thing and it makes me uncomfortable. How do I tell him no without sounding rude?

Teen Auntie

Dear Teen Auntie,

I suggest you tell your brother that you feel it is a great honor to be included in the special event of his new baby’s birth, but you are not old enough to feel comfortable in the situation. Maybe you could wait in the hospital and greet your new niece or nephew right after the birth with flowers or cookies for the mom and the rest of the family. Also, a little gift for the new baby would go a long way to show your interest and caring.

I give you kudos for knowing what you are comfortable and not comfortable with and I hope your brother respects you and understands your position.

Good Luck,
Natalie Robinson Garfield
TheSenseConnection.wordpress.com
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2 Comments

AuntyRara said at 8:41 pm on Mar 5 2013

I agree tell him how you feel he will understand. I have been my sisters' support person for through 4 labours, and even "caught" the third. When it came to the fourth my sister expected me to want to do the same, but I told her while I was glad I did it for S, I did not feel comfortable doing it again this time, and she was fine with that. Think of other jobs you could do for them instead like looking after the first child somewhere in or near the hospital so you can bring them in to meet their new baby as soon as everything is over, or hang around the labour ward (not in the delivery room) where you can help your brother or any other support people by reheating heat packs or bringing food if it is a long labour, or even just making sure their house is tidy and the dishes are done for when mummy and daddy come home with baby.
AuntyRara said at 8:41 pm on Mar 5 2013

I agree tell him how you feel he will understand. I have been my sisters' support person for through 4 labours, and even "caught" the third. When it came to the fourth my sister expected me to want to do the same, but I told her while I was glad I did it for S, I did not feel comfortable doing it again this time, and she was fine with that. Think of other jobs you could do for them instead like looking after the first child somewhere in or near the hospital so you can bring them in to meet their new baby as soon as everything is over, or hang around the labour ward (not in the delivery room) where you can help your brother or any other support people by reheating heat packs or bringing food if it is a long labour, or even just making sure their house is tidy and the dishes are done for when mummy and daddy come home with baby.

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