how can i tell my 5 year old daughter?

Question

that her daddy needs to see a doc i dont want to scare her she is only 5.

Answer 1

telll her daddy is going to see the doc...NOT doctor!!!&d tell her he has 2 becuz lyk that he gets better & "he can (use sumthing she lyks him 2 do lyk horse ride on his back)" that get them!!! ONLY if she asks if not dnt tell he...she's too young

Answer 2

I read the answers about not telling - and I disagree with that. What if you don't tell and things are really bad - will she blame you for not telling her?

By age 5 she can probably remember going to the doctor for shots and for a cold/check-up. Give her answers at that level - not a grown up (100% truth) level.

Just tell her, Daddy doesn't feel good and he is going to the doctor. That's the truth - just do not do a lot of details.

If she asks - What did the doctor do? Your answer might be medicine and for Daddy to check back later.

Or Daddy must go see another doctor who will do tests to see what is wrong (visit to hospital).

When I got married 20 years ago, the woman had a son (age 14) and daughter (age 16). Mom and daughter always acted like they were the grown-up and the son was the child. When the Mom got sick, the argument was he didn't need to go to the hospital - prior or after surgery. I disagree. If he came in a few days after surgery, he would probably see her looking fine and think we had over-blown the issue. And what if something went wrong?

I insisted he come prior to surgery. And wait with the family during her surgery. He grew up a lot in those couple of days - and he was allowed to take part in the discussion and hear things as they happened.

In your case, she shouldn't be part of the discussion or be around during surgery - but she needs to know Daddy is sick and is going to the doctor.

Answer 3

I'm not sure what her dad is seeing a doc for but honestly at 5 years old you don't have to give her a lot of information. The important thing to do is reassure her if she's worried about her dad and let her know that he's going to see a doctor because he's not feeling well. Tell her that the doctor is going to help her dad feel better.

Like I said, since she's so young she doesn't have to know all the details. They would just probably confuse her and possibly frighten her.

Answer 4

Well, people go to doctors all the time for routine things like physicals. Don't tell her anything yet, let him go then work on a discussion after he has a diagnosis.

Why worry her if it is nothing? If it is something, tell her only the minimum that she needs to know - don't burden a 5 year old with adult things.

Answer 5

Depends what the visit is for. You don't want her to be scared of the doctor or any medical profession.
I have 4 kids under age 9 years.If I go to the doctor I tell them or take them with me. THey learn new thigns and learn to be open when wanting to discuss things with our family doctor.
If the situation is serious, I would take her to someones house and go with my hubby to the doctors.
Last year I almost died in hospital, was there for 6 weeks. My kids werent worried because they knew I was in a safe place with good care. They did, however, miss me like hell, :) ( I must be doing something right!!)
Be open and honest when you need to tell her things, kids can see through ya if you spin crap to them ok.

Answer 6

Five years of age might be a little bit too young for such a thing. Perhaps you can tell her that her dad will simply be gone for awhile and that she should not worry. You, I assume, are a support person for the 5 year old and can be with her while the father is away.

Answer 7

I have found with my four children that if you put in a positive light then they usually react very well. They tend to imitate our reactions to things. I don't know why he needs to see one, but if you tell her that the doctor is going to help daddy and make him feel all better she should do ok. I would avoid going into too much detail.

Answer 8

well if her Daddy has to be gone for a while tell her he is sick and needs some help to get better.Answer her question if and when she ask to the best of your knowledge,you would be amazed how smart a 5 year old is.

Answer 9

If she asks about it, let her know that "Daddy is going to see a doctor." If she asks if he's sick (most kids assume doctors are all the same kinds - the ones that give shots.) you can tell her that he's going to see a different kind of doctor. (I assume he's going to see a mental health professional and that's why your question is posted under "mental health").

My mother worked in a psychiatric hospital and when I started asking questions about the doctors she worked with, she told me she was working with "feelings doctors" who helped people who were having trouble with their feelings. It made sense to me and gave me enough information without overloading me with unneccesary clinical details.

If a child's father is going to see a mental health professional, chances are the child knows that something isn't right already.

Just be very factual and up front about it.

Answer 10

It is important to tell the truth if life and death are concerned, but without getting into to much detail.
Until you have all the facts don't say anything. If it's a cancer diagnosis the cancer society will have lots of good books you can borrow.
Yo have to make a game about it.
If it involves hair loss from chemo you can have him say that there was a mouse in the shower with him, but he realized it was just his hair.

Answer 11

Don't. My family has a history of mental illness and we all have children. My cousin who has severe anxiety problems just tells her daughter *4* that mommy gets nervous but it's nothing to be afraid of. That seems to work for now for them. There's no reason to talk about Drs or treatments with them.