Leaving children at home while in the hospital?

I have my surgery on the 20th, and it's like my 16 month old daughter knows I'll be leaving her for a few days. She's always a mama's girl, but this week she won't leave my side. As I type on my lap top she's sitting on my legs playing with some dolls. I've never left her over night am I'm worried it will be hard on her. Have any of you post-ops had to leave small children? We're planning on not having her visit me in the hospital, because I think it will be harder for her to see me and then have to leave. Any input is welcome?

Hi Amy. I know its hard. I left my 4 year old for the first time when I had my surgery. I thought it would be harder then it truely was. She stayed at my Moms and they had a great time. The only problem came when I ended up in the hospital for 6 days and we finally had to let her visit, she was worried about me not coming home. Anyways, I came home Saturday and she still comes up to me and tells me she misses me. I told her that Im not going anywhere else for a long, long time. Good luck, Kristi

Amy, I had a hard time leaving my boys to go away for a week before for some training on their disability. It was SO hard to go, but I looked at it this way. What is five days away from them when I am going away to spend MORE time WITH them in the long run? Know what I mean? I will be leaving my boys at home with my sister. They will not be visiting me at the hospital because I know it will be way too difficult and emotional for them (and me) to come and visit and then have to leave. It is much easier on everyone involved to just let them know that you will be gone (they already sense it like you have said) for a few days and then you will be back home for good! That way you can concentrate on getting better while in the hospital to come home to the babies!! Hope this helps! Big hugs!!! Cherise

Hi Amy, I know it's difficult to think of leaving your daughter. I just had surgery on the 4th and left my three daughters with my brother and his wife. I was so worried, especially about my two year old. She had never been left with anyone overnight before. But she did really well. I didn't have them come visit me in the hospital either. She came when I was discharged and was very concerned about the tubes and mommys owwies and she kept asking if I was OK. So I think it was a good decision to not have her visit. Good luck and Best Wishes

I left my three while I had my surgery and I ended up being in the hospital 7 days. Against my better judgement my husband brought my 3 year old one day and my mom brought my twins the next. I cried both days after they left because none of them wanted anything to do with me. They were afraid of the IV, the drain tube, and just the entire set up. They had more fun flying around the hospital halls screeching and laughing but when they were brought into my room they screamed in terror. Leave her home and dont let others change your mind. I found also calling home and talking to them upset them also. My 3 yo son towards the end would ask if I was coming home and when I said not yet he would just hang up on me.

I had my surgery in 2003 my son was about the same age. My daughter was 4. My daughter looked as it was a big adventure. She would be with daddy and stay at grandparents. My son missed me but did well. He doesn't remember me being as big as I was (400 lbs.) The first week home will be the toughest. Trying to get back on your feet and feeling good but once you do what out. Those kids will have touble keeping up with you. My kids didn't come see in the hospital. I had an open ryn. The homecoming was great.

Thanks ladies. Elliana, my daughter, is teething. I think that's where her fussiness is coming from this week. So, probably this weekend she will still be teething when I'm in the hospital. The hospital is an hour away from our home. My mom and husband will come with me to the hospital. My dad will watch our daughter at our house. I have several friends on call if my dad needs a little break. My daughter loves the library so he can always take her there if she's fussy. I know in the long term this is what is best for her. She will have a more active mom and I'll be around to see her grandchildren. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Thanks, Amy

I have two boys Isaiah is 3.5 year old and Xavier is 21 month old. I let my oldest son's preschool know that I was going to be in the hospital for a few days so they would be able to talk to him too. We started telling him a few days prior about Mommy going to the hospital and that everything was going to be fine. On the second day that I was in the hospital Isaiah got to come visit me. I was feeling great so he and I did a bunch of laps around the floor. He was incharge of helping me push my IV stand. He liked that. When I got out of the hospital I suprised him at his school when it was time to pick him up. When we got home I showed him my owies and told him that I was going to be okay. He asked if I needed some Scooby Doo bandaids for them. I think he did well with the situation. Now my 21 month old was oblivious so I just made sure I hugged him extra long and spent more cuddle time with him before the surgery. I actually think it was more for me then him but it was nice all the same. Good luck to you on your upcoming surgery. Your kids are young enough that they might not remember whats going on. Be prepared more than likely they might be a little cool to you at first but soon it will all be back to normal. Dana