Thoughts on your young children visiting you in the hospital

[majorsmama 91]

Dang, there are some strong opinions about this. I have a 5 year old who is extremely well behaved. I'm torn on whether to have him visit me, because I'm not even sure if I'm gonna tell him where I am. When I had my EGD, it was scheduled for 6am and preschool wasn't open that early so my husband and I had no choice but to bring him. He never saw me once I was taken out of the waiting room and he had really bad anxiety and worry and ended up crying at school because he was afraid that I was in the hospital. So I would rather not put him through that again. I may just tell him I'm going on a business trip (which I've done before and he understands). I'll just have to have gotten sick on my trip to explain my tiredness.

[Maggietcu2 55]

Love the Skype idea!

[shugarhey 79]

I have a 4 year old stepson and his mom wants to bring him up to see me. I said of course in the beginning but now im reconsidering because he loves to snuggle with me. I'm sure I won't be able to take those little knees in the stomach. And I don't want to break his little heart by telling him he can't get under the covers with me.

[Bs_Knees 13]

FaceTime (or Skype) is a great way to visit with the kids without them actually coming to the hospital.

[greenbaymichk 30]

Hospitals are not the best places for children - make the visits quick and move them along.

I have concerns about exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria more than anything else. Make sure they use hand gel on the way in and out, and wash thoroughly after leaving.

That being said, a hug from a little one is the best medicine ever!

[honeybunz 139]

My husband and I had our surgeries 3 weeks apart and both times my mom stayed with our 3 kids (14, 12 & 9). The hospital was a hour away and we were both only there for 1 night. We made sure to send the kids pictures so they could see that we were ok since I knew they were worried about us.

[madferitchick 163]

Dang, there are some strong opinions about this. I have a 5 year old who is extremely well behaved. I'm torn on whether to have him visit me, because I'm not even sure if I'm gonna tell him where I am. When I had my EGD, it was scheduled for 6am and preschool wasn't open that early so my husband and I had no choice but to bring him. He never saw me once I was taken out of the waiting room and he had really bad anxiety and worry and ended up crying at school because he was afraid that I was in the hospital. So I would rather not put him through that again. I may just tell him I'm going on a business trip (which I've done before and he understands). I'll just have to have gotten sick on my trip to explain my tiredness.

This is exactly what I did with my four year old daughter. I told her I was on a business trip, and she never knew any different and still doesn't. She had a lovely mini holiday at grandmas house which she loved, and is only round the corner from my house anyway. I was two nights in Hosp and then had two nights at home until she saw me...I wanted to look completely normal and be able to move normally so she didn't ask questions or catch on that I wasn't quite normal!

She's very placid and well behaved, but my decision was based on protecting her from any anxiety, which I know she would have had a lot of if she knew I was going to hospital. With other kids it might not cause them concern so wouldn't be an issue. All children are different so each parent has to do what they feel is best for their own child.

Knowing my daughter was being taken care of and having a lovely time I think helped my quick recovery. I could focus on feeling better, and I was determined that would happen quickly as I missed her terribly as it was my first time away from her!

[mnmlst 249]

I was in terrible pain for the first 36 hours or so. If my daughter had visited me in the hospital, I think it would have scared her. By the time I got home I was feeling good enough to be cheery for her.