Let’s face it guys, even though we may not show it, surgery is a very difficult thing for anybody to go through. It becomes even more difficult when the person going through surgery is your very own son or daughter. Even though this time is not easy, there are several things that you can do as a parent to ensure that you child feels like they are loved and thought of when they enter the operating room.
The most important thing that a man can do when he learns his child must go into surgery is to treat them like you normally would. If you normally go to the park and play with your son or daughter then do that. If you normally spend Sunday’s being lazy and watching football with your child then continue to do so. When your child realizes that something is changing, they might become afraid. Children are much more apt to recognize that their parents are worried about them then they are often given credit for.
Another thing that you, as a father, can do to ensure your child feels loved is to actually tell them that you love them. Many fathers can go through life without ever saying those words. They think that it is just implied and doesn’t need to be spoke. These fathers are wrong. Love, even though it might be there, is always strengthened with those words. When you say “I love you” to your child, you are not only telling them that you love them, but you are also telling them that you are there for them and that you support them in everything you do.
Buying your child a gift before they go into surgery can also be effective in calming their nerves. New toys are always something that children enjoy, as most of you already know. You see their eyes light up and the joy that they have when they play with their newly found gifts. They go and show their friends what their “awesome dad” bought them. This gift can help to lift their spirits before they go into surgery and can help to suppress their fear.
Another thing that you can do is to make plans with your child for after their surgery. This could include anything from going to a Giants Game to going to Disney World. It does not have to be something that you need to spend a lot of money on. Telling your son that you will take him out on your boat fishing or your daughter that you will take her to see the ballet are also excellent ways of showing your child that they will make it through the surgery. We all know that there are certain risks with any surgery. Children tend to exaggerate these risks and often think that they are going to die while they are unconscious, even for something relatively small.
You shouldn’t be the only one doing these things and letting your child know that you love them. If their mother is in their life at all, make sure that she is also involved. Your wife will also need some comforting during this time and you should also make special time for her. Using some of these techniques on her can also be used to calm her nerves.
Surgery can be a very scary ordeal for a family, especially when a child is the one receiving it. No matter what the problem that merits the surgery is, it is very important that your child knows you are there for them. Telling them that you love them, buying them small pre-surgery gifts, and making plans for after surgery are all excellent ways of helping your child, as well as yourself, deal with this frightening time.