What do you say when your child asks "will I need surgery?"

[Boof Bouillabase]

Took my spawn to doctor, since she bumped her head. On the way there, she asked if she would need surgery. She had the most scared look on her face. What do you say in that situation? Is it ok to say "I don't know"? I've seen some parents flat out say "No" but what if the child ends up needing surgery? What's the best way to respond to that question?

 

[silverpig]

"Hmm, maybe, but then you'll have a totally badass scar to show off!" Joke and deflect?

 

[BoomerD]

Tell her not likely. Show her your knife and explain that if it was something as simple as surgery, you'd do it yourself.

 

[CRXican]

"They might have to amputate"

 

[bobsmith1492]

Comforting? Something like "Maybe, but you'd be asleep so you won't even know it happened?"

 

[Hacp]

"Baby, when you turn 18, you'll practically be begging me for $$ to undergo surgery"

 

[lxskllr]

I'd give her my honest opinion. Yes, you might need surgery... I doubt it, but you may... Absolutely not. I just want you to get checked out.

 

[CRXican]

Now that Billy Mayes died I bet trips to the doctor/hospital have increased dramatically for any head bump incident

 

[Regs]

Billy Mayes was a drug addict. Most people in hollywood abuse something. Don't let that you fool you however, you can still die at any moment.

 

[lxskllr]

What kind of bump did your girl get that might require surgery?

 

[her209]

"We might have to put you down."

 

[dainthomas]

"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is ‘God is crying’. And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is ‘Probably because of something you did’." - Jack Handey

 

[Fritzo]

You be truthful. If you don't know, you say you don't know, then say "you probably won't, but if you do it's no big deal. They put you to sleep, you wake up, and you don't feel a thing."

Kids react to your expressions. If you're calm, they will have less anxiety.

 

[Lonyo]

What age is said child?

 

[Boof Bouillabase]

What kind of bump did your girl get that might require surgery?

Well, she was talking back to me, so I smacked my hand on the table and told her to go sledding with her friends. She forgot her helmet, and needless to say, the sled flipped and guess which part of the body landed on the ground first

 

[moshquerade]

This thread is giving me the creeps

 

[Boof Bouillabase]

What age is said child?

for the purposes of this thread, and because I like to spread my seed, age 6 to 11

 

[GasX]

my question is why is your little kid so afraid of surgery?

 

[Boof Bouillabase]

You be truthful. If you don't know, you say you don't know, then say "you probably won't, but if you do it's no big deal. They put you to sleep, you wake up, and you don't feel a thing."

Kids react to your expressions. If you're calm, they will have less anxiety.

Thanks. When it happened I did say " I don't think you'll need surgery for a bump on the head" and shrugged it off, and that seemed to calm her down. Next time I'll be more direct and say I don't know.

 

[moshquerade]

watch for signs of a concussion

 

[blackdogdeek]

this is your opportunity to find out why she is afraid of surgery. you may be able to dispell any myths she may have about what it entails.

 

[KeithTalent]

"Hmm, maybe, but then you'll have a totally badass scar to show off!" Joke and deflect?

This is totally what I would do, it's just my nature and I can't help it.

KT

 

[Boof Bouillabase]

my question is why is your little kid so afraid of surgery?

After reading your query, and then looking at your avatar, I'm a little creeped out.

 

[jonks]

"Only a very small percentage of people never wake up when put under anesthesia. But since you never know who won't wake up, the fun part is in the guessing."

 

[skace]

this is your opportunity to find out why she is afraid of surgery. you may be able to dispell any myths she may have about what it entails.

Unfortunately, you can't really dispel every myth. The reality is that sometimes doctor visits can be painful. That's just part of life.