Thanks for everyone's replies. It's interesting to see how different people handle that side of it.

I told the kids the night I posted the original post. They were really happy, although they said 'how did the baby get there if you aren't married?' I had some explaining to do. It's been really strange being with DP this time around never expecting to have more kids, neither did they. My daughter who is turning 6 this week went all red and just laughed for ages, she is really excited. So much for not telling people either! I didn't want the kids to think there's something to be ashamed of so I didn't tell them to not tell anyone, but my son has told the whole school....at least that means he's excited

I'm glad I waited this long as it has been a very stressful 6 weeks worrying about the viability and having bleeding. I think for me it would have made it worse knowing that the kids knew in that time. It's explained to the kids why they had to help mummy out a lot more and why mummy lay down most of the time and was a bit sad. They received the yearly visit from their father not long ago, so I'm glad I didn't tell them before then, he's the last person on earth I want to know for a long time, it's too special for that.

So it all went well and we are zooming for the 14 weeks now. I told them the baby was a seed and if we are lucky it will grow to a baby that comes out in a looong time (thankyou for that idea )

Thanks again for sharing your experiences.