Your child needs elective surgery and a date has been scheduled.
Unlike emergency surgery, an elective procedure isn't done as an
immediate matter of life and death. Having an elective procedure
gives you the time to prepare your child psychologically for the
hospital and the surgery. Good preparation can help kids feel
less anxious about the anesthesia and surgery and get through
the recovery period faster. But, like parents everywhere, you're
probably uncertain about the best way to prepare your child. The
key is to provide information at your child's level of
understanding, correct misunderstandings, and get rid of fears
and feelings of guilt. Help your child understand why the
surgery is needed and become familiar with the hospital and some
of the procedures he or she will undergo. Kids of all ages cope
much better if they have an idea of what's going to happen and
why it's necessary. To do that, prepare yourself first and
correct any misconceptions of your own. If a parent is anxious
and nervous, a child