Taking a 3yr old to hospital to visit

[findmeaunicorn]

Would you do it?
I need to visit a very close relative who has just had a sudden cancer diagnosis. My DD and her love to see each other so that's a positive, I just don't know if it's the right thing for my DD.
I have no one to watch dd so it's take her or don't go, relative is the one who normally is my only person I have to look after her.
She's asked specifically for me to visit today.
I've spoke to the ward and they say it's ok.
I think my anxiety is just all over the place which is why I'm posting.
Help!

Take her! Will cheer your friend right up.
But take stuff to entertain her. Quiet stuff, like colouring books, jigsaw etc.

Do you know what sort of ward your relative is on? Are any of her neighbours in a bad way, hooked up to lots of noisy machinery, in pain etc? That would be my main concern, that a 3-year-old would find the environment a bit frightening, and connected to that that her distress might upset other patients. Otherwise, if it’s just a “normal” ward, take her. She and your relative will enjoy seeing each other, you can take some books and quiet toys to occupy her if she begins to get a little restless.

Your relative needs you and wants you there at an awful time in her life. Her needs take priority now.
Provided that your child is well behaved and can be kept quiet with a toy or interaction (and is nit one of those nightmare 3 year olds who would be running about screaming which it doesn’t sound like she is), just go.

Take her. A wee one brightens up people’s spirits… I bet the other people in the ward will like to see her too. But yes bring something to keep her entertained as a ward isn’t somewhere to run around and create havoc lol

DS had to visit his dad in intensive care when he was a similar age. DH had a tracheostomy and was on a ventilator, so couldn’t talk, DS was fine, just happy to see him. I made it into an exciting trip and took some treats for him to have and some things for him to give DH to cheer him up and make him feel better. The nurse was so kind. He showed him how to wash his hands, sanitise and put an apron on. It was fine, kids are remarkably accepting.

Yes take her. Be prepared for it to be a shorter visit than it might have been if you'd gone alone. Chat to DD in advance about what she might see and that the poorly people might be sleeping and need quiet etc etc

If it might become a regular thing, buy her a doctor's kit to play with and she can watch the healthcare staff with interest

Take your dc, take with you plenty of bribery (favourite snack they rarely get, quiet toys and a tablet even) to have in your arsenal but I suspect you won't need them. Young children are curious and may ask slightly awkward questions but I suspect you will cheer up your loved one and potentially the others in the ward!

My advice from experience is to take food. Easy finger foods. I bought so much sushi from the hospital cafe and Mss 2 would sit happily for ages working her way through it. And then a little something to play with.

Do go. Little things like that can have a huge beneficial effect on morale in people in your relative's position. You might also provide other patients on the ward with a bright spot in their day. When visiting my mother in hospital, I might as well have not been there if there was a child visiting someone else. But be prepared to cut the visit short if your child starts to be noisy, needs to run about etc. Don't go prepared to stay for hours, armed with toys etc., and to stick it out for your relative's benefit - other people might not be able to tolerate it. Also bear in mind that your relative might tire surprisingly quickly, depending on the treatment they are having. Short and sweet is what to aim at.

Take her! Why wouldn’t you? It can be a shorter visit so your dd does t get bored.

As the ward allows it I would. It will likely be a positive experience for both your relative and DC if they like spending time together. Take snacks to give to your DC if they start getting tricky and maybe a sticker book or tablet.

I think it’s fine to take her, but do be prepared it may be an intense experience for her. I also have cancer and recently on the ward after surgery.

It will perhaps be different if she’s on the cancer ward (that’s pretty chill), but I was on a surgical ward. There was a guy opposite me who kept struggling to breathe and all sorts of alarms kept going off. The guy next to me had tried to self harm by jumping off a building (he survived obviously but was pretty bashed up). And the woman on the other side had a mental break and stabbed herself in the stomach so was sectioned with security guarding her. It was stressful even for me. My dc did not visit me at all for that reason. If she’s on the cancer ward, it will be much easier. Everyone is much more jolly there in my experience.

I don’t think there is any reason not to visit, but do just prepare. Draw the curtains if there is too much going on around her. Bring snacks and something to entertain your dd. Be okay with making it a short visit if it’s just not working. And ask your family member what you can bring them. I was so over hospital food after a bit. Nice snacks and fresh fruit and a fizzy drink or two were very appreciated.

Thank you everyone, I really needed the reassurance.
As it happens I'm a nurse but work community, and it's hard when the boot is on the other foot!
And luckily I always take dd snacks a plenty, books, toys etc everywhere - DP goes mad but he's useless - and that's a whole other post!
Will also be taking the pram that she still just fits into incase any restraint is needed haha, she's usually very good but at 3 it's best to be prepared I feel!
Thank you so so much everyone ❤️