The best way to prepare your child for anesthesia is for you to be prepared. Read through this Web site and learn what to expect so that you will be more confident and better prepared to talk with your child calmly and honestly about the experience. Some helpful tips are given below.

• Tell your child what to expect. Children do better with anesthesia when they are prepared.
• Answer your child’s questions. Be honest with your answers. If you don’t know the answer, find out.
• Allow your child to share. Do not minimize or belittle your child’s feelings. Let your child know it is OK to feel afraid.
• Be there with your child. Sit at the bedside and comfort your child. In some situations it may be possible to be present in the immediate post-operative recovery period.
• Be calm. Your own fears and anxieties can be transferred to your child. Children do better after surgery when they are less anxious and fearful.
• Ask questions. If anything is unclear to you then it is probably unclear to your child. If you have questions or concerns, ask your anesthetist.