3 Tips For Preparing Your Child For A Scary Medical Procedure

As a parent, one of the scariest things that you might have to face in your life is the possibility that your child could be in harm’s way and need a medical procedure because of it. While whatever your child’s diagnosis is might cause you fear, the thought of him or her having to go under anesthesia, be cut open, and then heal from whatever might happen during the procedure is enough to give parents nightmares. But while you’re afraid, your child might be terrified. So to help make this whole process easier to bear, here are three tips for preparing your child for a scary medical procedure.

Be An Example Of Calm

According to Jennifer Seiler, a contributor to Greater Living, children will often look to their parents for how to act or respond regarding a situation. This means that if you’re freaking out about the upcoming procedure, your child likely will as well. So although it might be very challenging for you, try to be an example of calm for your child. While it’s perfectly fine for you to allow yourself and your child to feel whatever emotions might be forming about the procedure, try not to let those emotions have too much control over you in the hopes that they won’t have complete control over your child as well.

Ask The Doctors The Questions Your Child Might Ask You

Whether your child is scared about the procedure he or she is about to have or if their feelings are milder, it’s likely that there will be a number of questions bouncing around his or her head about what’s going to happen and why. If your child has a good rapport with their doctor, encourage him or her to ask any questions they might have about the procedure. But if your child doesn’t know their doctor well or is nervous, Dr. Steven Dowshen, a contributor to KidsHealth.org, suggests that you ask the doctors any questions you think your child might ask so that you can relay the relevant information to your child. The more informed your child feels, the less likely it is that he or she will be fearful about the procedure.

See if A Tour Is Possible

Hospitals, in general, can be a scary place for some children. So to help your child get more comfortable in this environment leading up to their procedure, Jennifer Whitlock, a contributor to VeryWellHealth.com, suggests asking if it’s possible for you and your child to take a tour of the hospital, especially areas that your child will be in as part of their procedure. By seeing everything beforehand, your child’s fears—and your fears, too—might be eased.

To help make the best of this bad situation, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare yourself and your child for an upcoming medical procedure.