In the near future, I have surgery scheduled. I share that right up front because sometimes health issues can affect how your nieces and nephews behave. When they’re not feeling well, your favorite relatives can be cranky, indecisive and may lack energy. When you’re not feeling well, your uncling and auntie-ing duties can suffer.

While my surgery isn’t anything serious, there is some recovery time involved. This provides any good uncle with some material to teach nieces and nephews. Once I’m ready to entertain visitors, I know my family will come by the house to see how I’m doing.

My discussions with other adults will be pro forma—the usual comments on what the doctors say, if I need anything, how I’m feeling and what to expect going forward. But with little girls and boys, this is a great learning time.

For instance, I know I’ll be asked “Why did you have surgery?” by some of my nieces and nephews. Sharing some details, without being graphic or scary, can help young family members understand and be less afraid of doctors and medical procedures.

Additionally, they’ll probably want to know some of the process and what the future holds. All the life lessons we try so hard to impart can be presented with this one event as the backdrop. In fact, here are the three main reasons I’m looking forward to the surgery—aside from the obvious “getting better” reason...

1. It’s an opportunity to share real-world events with nieces and nephews in a safe environment.

Too often medical shows on TV and even articles on WebMD are too scary to have young people watch or read. Once I have surgery, I can share information on the experience in the same way I’d tell them stories about a trip to Paris or a visit to an ice cream stand.

2. The fact a loved one is having surgery and is still OK teaches the importance of life and medicine.

Lest we forget, all of us have lost a loved one. If we were fortunate, it didn’t happen while we were young and we had time to develop an understanding of the importance of life. I’m looking forward to talking about the cool stuff and the gross stuff I see, hear and experience—all in the interest of helping my nieces and nephews grow.

3. When my nieces and nephews visit me, they’ll be getting a life lesson in caring about other people.

Whether they bring me cards, flowers, toys, snacks or just themselves, they’ll get an understanding of how important it is to care about others. This will assist them in growing as people and in developing empathy for friends, family and all others.

Would I prefer not to get cut open to share some of these life lessons with my favorite nieces and nephews? Sure. But if they take away some more understanding of life and humanity, it’s well worth the recovery period. What would you do to help your favorite family members grow?

Jeff Cutler is a freelance journalist, social media trainer and content specialist. The best way to see Jeff's world is by going to http://jeffcutler.com or using the social media links at the top of his Website.

Photo: stockimages
Published: September 24, 2013