How to Handle a Five Year Old Getting Tonsils Out

Everything is going to be fine. Three out of my four children had tubes, adnoids removil and tonsils out. Around that same age. I bought a "going to hospital book," went to Target and bought toys to bring to the hospital. Let her pick it out and save it. (dollar isle:)) Spare her the details. Tell her dr. is going to look at tonsils and bring her to a room were other kids are at that point she will bring her new toys with when nurse takes her to OR. Have her pick out popsicles and make jello a day or two before, more special treats just for her.

Our 5-year-old son shares a similar history, and we finally had his tonsils and adenoids removed. We were anticipating the worst recovery - and were very surprised when he was up and playing as soon as he came home the first day. He refused to take pain medications after the first dose (request something that is flavored to hide the bitterness) and rarely made any complaint of pain or discomfort. He would nap more than normal the first 3 days, and he had an appetite from the start. I guess the lesson for us is that children are incredibly resilient!

Our advice to your daughter would be that even though it may be scary, this is a big adventure for her that will make her feel SO MUCH BETTER when it is all over. Julian has not experienced any ear infections now in over a year, and is so much healthier now that he's been through this procedure.

Perhaps you could take her to the grocery store to let her shop for her special foods for after the procedure - special soups, popsicles, pudding, applesauce - things that could be swallowed easily without scratching the throat. Also, you may take her shopping for a special nightgown and slippers that she can wear when she gets home, and you can set up a special "recovery room" in your family room where she will feel like she's the center of attention. Take her out to rent a few movies she can watch while she's resting and recovering, and perhaps with all of those special items, she'll feel more comfortable about going forward with the surgery.

Lastly, if it would be of any help, we could arrange a meeting where she could meet Julian and she could ask him questions. She could even look at his throat to see how it is different than hers, and they could talk about whatever concerns her.

Our only regret is that we didn't have the surgery sooner. It has been a blessing to see Julian healthy and happy after years of tubes and infections.

Good luck!
S.

Dear S.,

I worked in the children's library for about fourteen years. Many parents came frewuently to check out Mr. Rogers books on visits to the hospital, dentist, doctor, etc. There are other books that help with this particular fear by other authors also. Prayer is powerful also.

God Bless you,
A.
P. S. I also find it helps go thru an ordeal if they are promised something special for after the ordeal. Just as the lord takes us thru our trials with hope for a better future.

Hi S...
My son had all the same surgery with the tubes and adenoids out, but he was younger also..The best advice is look into which hospital you are going through and see if they have a program for kids..
I work at Hope Childrens Hospital (christ Hospital) and my Mom works in the same day surgery section (which is where your daughter will be through) and at our hospital we have the kids come in for a tour and a movie and they meet nurses and doctors and get gifts and they answer questions that any of the kids have..It is VERY beneficial for a child like your daughter..Then they are taken through exactly what is going to happen to them and they are hearing it from someone else other than her parents that everything will be ok..She may take in more from a hands on experience like that???
Just a suggestion..
If you need any more info on that just email me...
M.

My daughter had her tonsils out at 4 1/2 and I just told her that it would make her feel much better (she had bad allergies) and that she would not feel any of it. The dr. prescribed her lollipops with pain med also... maybe you can ask the dr about those? She was only in pain for a day or two afterwards, and not bad.

I also took her to the grocery store beforehand and made it an "all about you" shopping trip, which meant she could pick out any applesauce, jello, yogurt, popsicles, etc. that she wanted. She really enjoyed being the center of attention and getting the special treats.

Good luck!