“What to Tell Your Children?”

maenixon

Not Sure
Spent: $7,900 in Portland, OR

Comments (8)

Posted 29 Jun 2010

My TT is scheduled for July 15th (ack!) but I am wondering if any of you have any ideas for what to tell your children about why mommy is out of commission and has a huge scar along her belly? My girls are 3 & 5 and I know they will be very curious . . . suggestions?

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Angiemcc (Community Manager) 2 Jul 2010

I've done research on this very topic. What I've learned is to be honest, but not brutally honest. Children that age don't need all the nitty gritty details. You also may want to address body image and let them know that even though a tummy tuck isn't something you necessarily need, it's something you want.

JenD. 2 Jul 2010

I had a TT and Breast Aug on June 7th. I have a 5 Y/O and 2 Y/O.. I told them the truth. Mommy has a booboo on her belly. I explained to my 5 y/o son the basics of it all. Told him that Mommy's skin of her belly and her muscles need to be fixed and that the doctor was gonna have to cut my belly to fix it. He gets it. Actually my baby does too! She says BooBoo Belly?!? I kiss it! AWE! Just know that you will NOT be able to pick your girls up at all for 4-6 months!!! That is the hardest part for me! Good Luck and if you have any other questions go ahead and ask!! =)

Debbie3 4 Jul 2010

I told my 5 yrs old daugther that mommy went to have surgery to look pretty, and she understood. She's happy that my belly and breast look better, she even told be that my breast were reborn ;-).....The only thing my baby told me, is that she can't wait to hug as before without hurting me.

Tumtucker 26 Jul 2010

Yes, I told my boys my muscles were torn and the doctor was going to fix them. I didn't say anything about looking better, just the technical part. When they saw me for the first time, my five year old was very careful, but my three year old was rambunctious. Before they went to bed, he tried giving me a hard hug and I showed him my belly button with stitches all around it. They were very concerned and now both of them are careful, know they can't get in bed with me and bring me water! It's a good way to teach them a little compassion!

Angiemcc (Community Manager) 9 Sep 2010

I love this approach!

Orlando321 7 Nov 2010

Tumtucker, I like your idea about keeping it simple. I have a 2 boys (7yrs&2yrs), I struggle with what to tell them as well. My fear is that my oldest might go to school and blab about "mommy getting new boobs or removing her belly." I think the muscle fix is a great explanation.
Thanks