LoveMaGirl

I have to go into hospital-hopefully for a day procedure but it might require an overnight stay. I am a stay at home mum to my toddler, and she has only once had a babysitter.

She's scared of me going to the hospital and very upset. How do you prepare a little one for an overnight separation, especially one as traumatic as this?

mama.waddle

I don't know how old your child is, but my son was about 2.5 years old when I had my daughter. I was only in the hospital with her over night, but that was much longer than I had ever left him. We talked about it with him a lot before hand, checked out some books from the library, and also decided not to let him visit in the hospital. Some may not agree with that choice, but he was at that age frightened by new situations and people and noises, so that was right for him. We got through it okay, and he wasn't worse for wear. My husband was with me during the birth, and our son was left with his uncle and aunt, who had never sat for him before, but love him dearly.

Good luck, there's not a whole lot you can do in your situation, you have to go to the hospital, at the end of the day, that is just how it is.

__________________
-Becca
mom to Jason (1/03), Rosie (6/05), and baby blue due in August!

FingerInEar

Be honest with her. Don't try and sneak out on the morning, deal with it head on. If you hide it from her or sneak of it might leave her more issues, like fear of going to bed in case you aren't there when she wakes up.

Maybe have her pick you up from the hospital when the time comes, so that she has a positive association with hospitals.

misty

It depends on the time period you have at your disposal, if you could get a friend or a relative to visit with your baby for a week or two, then she will grow somewhat accustomed to seeing this other person. You may need some help when you get home from the hospital so the person could still visit.

It may be helpful if the person stays at your home, it would at least be familiar territory for her.