Thoughts on your young children visiting you in the hospital

[NCTRNL 25]

I go in tomorrow for my sleeve and I assume that tomorrow evening, I'll be up and sitting and everything so my wife and I decided that we'd play it by ear but we're assuming it will be ok for my 3 year old daughter to come visit me since I'll be gone for a night.

We've already told her that daddy is going to the doctor to get healthy and I'd be gone for a night. I'd definitely like to see her but I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with an actual hospital visit.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I have experience from the opposite side -- when I was recovering from my surgery, one of the patients had his toddler children visit him a couple of times. The children ran screaming up and down the halls and collided with patients trying to walk, including almost ripping the IV out of one of them. I think this was really unusual -- most children know how to be well-behaved in hospitals, most parents can control children when they slip out of their usual good behavior, and in most hospitals, nurses will intervene in situations like this. But I would beg you that if you do have your child visit, to not let this sort of thing happen! Children running and screaming and colliding with other people is pretty much a fact of life everywhere, but IMO the hospital is one of those few places that it shouldn't happen.

I would bet your daughter would be glad to see you and that you are doing well and will be back home with her soon. I think you should have her visit, assuming your surgery goes well and you are feeling up to it. Good luck!

[Okinawa girl 29]

My husband brought our four year old to visit me both afternoons I was there. My child is well behaved in public and I had a private room. She just came in and sat down. She didn't really know what to think. I say let your wife bring her. It is nice to get a kiss from them when we are gone for the night. Just know that if your child isn't tolerating the visit well that your wife may need to leave early

[NCTRNL 25]

My husband brought our four year old to visit me both afternoons I was there. My child is well behaved in public and I had a private room. She just came in and sat down. She didn't really know what to think. I say let your wife bring her. It is nice to get a kiss from them when we are gone for the night. Just know that if your child isn't tolerating the visit well that your wife may need to leave early

Yeah that's kinda how we were gonna play it. This helps a lot. Thank you.

[agalindo17 331]

My 4 years old girl came to visit me with my mom and she actually help get up and walk and didn't bother anyone... I agree with others it all depends how well behave they are and if someone can Control them if they get out of hand seen you won't be able to while you recover!!

Good luck!!

[rosieuk 58]

I have a well behaved 2.5 year old and I had every intention if his coming to visit. But I had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic and was quite poorly. So I took the decision for him not to come in and see Mummy so poorly. It didn't go down well as he wanted to come in so much but it was the right choice for me. Like others have suggested play it by ear. You may be perfectly fine but I felt bad letting my little one down

[Sharon1964 2,530]

I also have children. I would say to skip it. It's only one night. If it turns into more than one night, then I would reconsider.

Edited to add: my hospital is a bariatric and cardiac hospital. To visit on the bariatric wing, children have to be 12. To visit on the cardiac wing, children have to be 16. No children visit during flu season.

Edited June 2, 2015 by Sharon1964

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I thought kids that young were not allowed to make hospital visitations.

[perk4756 259]

I think it's a bit much to have small children come visit. It's one night as someone else said. I have small grandchildren I dearly love. But I wouldn't appreciate if in a room with someone bringing them in. Not a place for little ones. Plus hospitals breed infections.

[3bzmom 96]

I have had various surgical procedures over the years, and when the hospital has allowed it, my children have always come for a quick visit just to see where Mommy is and to know that I'm ok. I think it can be a valuable experience for a child to understand that you can be in the hospital and not be on your death bed. Too many times, a child's first or only experience with the hospital is a really sick relative. That said, they have never stayed more than 15 or 20 minutes- just long enough to understand that Mommy will be tired when she gets home, but that everything is ok.

Because my children had experienced my surgeries, when my son had to have an emergency appendectomy at age 9, he was quite the trooper and knew that even if he felt really bad when he woke up, he would be feeling better soon. I realize 9 isn't a "little kid," but I still think the experience helped him.

[Menelly 56]

The hospital I'm having surgery at is 70 miles from my house, so I intend to use Skype on my phone to chat with my 3 year old

[Sleevefornellie 137]

You know I'm kind of up in the air about having my children visit me.... I have 3 girls 12, 7, and 1....and even though my stay will probably be a day or two, I no that I will miss them dreadfully and vice versa.... But I'm worried about them seeing me not well... My 7yr old and 1yr are extremely emotionally attached to me and my 12 yr old is beyond strong and has seen me at my worst...I definitely can have the oldest visit and not my 7 yr old!!! I will never hear the end of it... Also need to find out what age the hospital allows for visitation....wow!!! I guess I have a lot to consider before my surgery date...(Sigh..)

[mchap25 65]

Funny you asked this. I didn't have my kids come see me because surgery was an hour away. I'm glad I didn't. After getting home last night my daughter was flittering about trying to help. I was so nauseous with any movement around me and felt horrible for asking her to go in the other room. My youngest one is at Grandma's. I was so excited to see her tonight but she wants to stay there another night. Blessed to have help, but miss my pumpkin!

[Jazziminna 95]

My sons are 11 and 13 and they both have told me that no matter how long I'm there they want to be there too LOL My 13 told me he'd stay the night if they let him. Haha. He's such a mama's boy! I don't think wild horses will keep them away. Good luck to you and keeps us posted.

[perk4756 259]

Oh plz... I've had 5 back surgeries and when you're in the hospital it is to recover. My children are well behaved too, but I feel like children under 12 shouldn't visit at all unless an extended stay. Obviously not all ppl agree which is fine. One to two days is all. Lol