My husband and I are trying to figure out some childcare logistics. I am assuming I will likely want to sleep (I am spending 1 night in the hospital) so our thought is it's fine for him to pick the kids up after school and maybe bring them by after an early dinner to say goodnight (hospital is only 10 minutes from home).

Wondering what your afternoon looked like.

thanks everyone, my kids did come and visit and it was nice for all of us. They had major fascination with the tubes and buzzers etc.. and at one point put on gloves and pretended to be the doctors! I was fine, no major pain so far (had surgery Thurssday came home Friday)

We had to bring our 6 year old daughter with us to the hospital after our babysitter caught the flu. We woke up at 4am and arrived at the hospital by 5:30 am. She hung out with my hubby and I and asked a lot of questions about what was going on. She held my hand after two trys to get the IV in and gave me hugs and kisses when it was time for surgery at 7:30am. While I was in the OR and recovery she hung out with my hubby and played with her My Little Ponys, her ds and the iPad. They went to breakfast and had her favorite; pancakes. When I was taken to short stay, they both came back to see me and my voice was really low and raspy from the breathing tube and the fact that it hurt to breath. My daughter was concerned and asked the nurse why mommies voice sounded funny and after they explained it to her, she was cool with it. She told me all about her day and how she's happy I'm okay. Then when it was time to finally go, she held my hand while the nurse removed my IV and asked to help wheel me out to the car. She is VERY much a caretaker. This is the third major surgery for me in a year so she is knowledgeable about what to expect. When she was two, her favorite book was my pocket anatomy and physiology book from school. Every child is different and every parent knows the limits of their children. Do what makes you all comfortable.

My daughter is 5. I explained to her everything that I was doing and the reasons why. I don't think it would be traumatic for them at all. It would probably worry them more not to see you because it will be out of the norm for them. You will be sleepy from the anesthesia, but you will be able to see them for a bit. My daughter went to the hospital, and was with me after I went home. I think they will be fine. They will be curious but fine. I think it will be comforting for you as well.