When parent gets surgery, what do you say?

Hi. I've got a two and a half year old son. I'll be going in for
some minor surgery soon, but it'll have me in the hospital for an
overnight, then in bed for a couple days, and on crutches for a week
or so. What do I tell my son? I was thinking that I'd tell him that
I have a boo boo and the doctor is going to fix it. But the thing is,
I'll be coming homing it what seems like worse shape then when I went
in. I'm afraid of making my son afraid of the doctor--and I want to
somehow let him know that daddy is going to be okay.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Ken

On 20 Aug 2004, Ken wrote:
Hi. I've got a two and a half year old son. I'll be going in for
some minor surgery soon, but it'll have me in the hospital for an
overnight, then in bed for a couple days, and on crutches for a week
or so. What do I tell my son? I was thinking that I'd tell him that
I have a boo boo and the doctor is going to fix it. But the thing is,
I'll be coming homing it what seems like worse shape then when I went
in. I'm afraid of making my son afraid of the doctor--and I want to
somehow let him know that daddy is going to be okay.

If possible, have him be with you *before* the surgery so he can see that
you are still fine even though you're in the hospital. Be straightforward
with him -- let him know that just like when he gets shots, having the
doctor make you better doesn't always feel good, and that since your boo
boo is on the inside, the doc has to go in to fix it. Also let him know
that when you get out of the hospital, you'll have more time to sit and
watch videos quietly with him, or take naps together, but that you won't
be doing nearly as much running around (so if it's possible, try to do a
little more walking/running around in the days before the hospital, just
to get it out of your -- and his -- system for a bit).