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I'm an uncle to 4 beautiful girls, 3 up to 11. We were very honest with them from the minute I had the operation. I even took time out to show them the bags, explaining how I change them, what happened to me, how the whole stoma thing works. To be honest, I think it's the only way to go; they are a lot smarter than we think.
This is a great awesome question, thanks! I started thinking back to when I was young and my grandmother had an ostomy! I don't remember ever being told that she had one! I didn't learn until it was time for my own ostomy! Then I started thinking... I have never had a conversation with my own daughter about my ostomy! I know she knows what an ostomy is, but I'm not the one she talked to about it! Actually, that makes me sad that I never talked to her myself! I have ordered this doll online to help me teach my niece and nephew, as well as going into schools to teach children!
I had surgery when my grandkids were small; I just called it my "Granny Diaper". Now they're 7, 12, and 14, and I don't think they even remember I have one. We never discuss it, nor do they see me as any different than any other granny. They just love me.
BEG
After my op, I was in the hospital for a long time, then in rehab learning to walk and move again. All my grandchildren visited me there, so I did not have to tell them. My grandkids range in ages from 16 to 2, and none of them have asked about my bag except to comment on noisy gas (the oldest). I think children accept things a lot better than adults.
Mickey
My daughter was 10 when I had my stoma formed. I explained that my belly had gotten poorly and I could not poo out of my bottom anymore, so they had to fix it. I explained it's all a bit funny because I poo out of my belly now (we laughed together about this!). I showed her my bag and explained how it worked. I didn't show her the stoma, just explained what it looked like. We also named him Dennis (because he is a menace!), which helped to keep it light-hearted. Now, she tells Dennis off when he trumps loudly, and we laugh about it. We see Dennis now as a normal part of our lives. As time went by, she has asked me if she could see Dennis, and she was fine with it. We love Dennis because he saved my life. Children really are very accepting. Good luck xx
We have 5 granddaughters from 15 to 8 years old. I have had my colostomy for 5.5 years. They have not seen my stoma, but have seen all of my supplies and were with me when their moms came to take care of us after my recovery from this operation. We all are aware when I pass my bubbles, but so what? At least, mine don't smell... so whenever there is a smell, they are sure it isn't me. They are beautiful children.
Take what you want and leave the rest... and just take care of you!
My 6-year-old granddaughter named my stoma "Ferb" (as in Phineas and Ferb). She wanted to know all about "him." Most of all, she wanted to make sure he didn't have any pain. When Ferb lets loose, she always says, "Oh Ferb, that was so gross!" Now, when she lets loose, I say, "Oh Fiona, that was so gross." She says she was only talking with Ferb. She has seen Ferb with and without the wafer and pouch. She said she needed to know everything about it because if she and I were together somewhere and something happened to me and she needed to call 911, she also needed to be able to tell them that I have a "Ferb" and to make sure she could take care of it until help came. She is 6 going on 30.
Gogo (to her)
