Topic Explanation:
The forum topic is about discussing when and how to talk to children about having an ostomy, and how to handle their curiosity and questions about it.

Advice and Insights:
- Keep the explanation simple and make it fun so that children have no fear of it.
- Some families prefer to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to their children and grandchildren about ostomies, while others prefer privacy.
- Children adapt quickly to new information and are quick to suss out who is telling them the truth and treating them like intelligent, independent entities.
- Some have found success in using books and dolls with ostomies to explain the concept to children.
- It's important for children to know that they can speak openly about almost any subject without being adversely judged for doing so.
- Children learn quickly, and if adults are not anxious, they will not be disturbed by seeing an ostomy.
- Some children have seen their family members change their ostomy bags and refer to the stoma by name, which helps them understand and cope with the situation.
- It's okay for children to know everything is okay, even if the family member with an ostomy has spent time in the hospital.
- Sometimes, the sounds from the ostomy bag can pique children's curiosity.