Telling children about OB
My partner and I are (39f 43M) are expecting this December. We have been together around 3 years and each have 2 children from our previous marriages (7F 8M 10F 12M). We recently got engaged last fall and were excited to tell the kids however both of the younger ones were upset.
They had similar feelings, mostly concerned about the other parent feeling left out, I suspect a final loss of their 'old family'. Both of our ex spouses left us, one to party, the other to 'find themselves'. Both are single but have dated others on and off.
Now with the new baby, we are both concerned about the reaction from the kids. Will they not be excited? Will they be upset?
They have gone to counseling through school and private. The other parents (far as we know) didn't spur these feelings or anything, I think they mostly ignore talking about us to the children.
I was thinking maybe it's best to set each set down individually and break the news, however my partner wants to tell all of them at once. What could we do to help the feelings of the kids though? I don't want them to feel like they're being replaced, I want them to be happy for a new sibling.