Any ideas on explaining to toddlers

I am the proud mom of 3 year old twins!  However, I know I will not be able to pick them up, hold them, have them climb all over me...etc...lol for at least a month.  Any ideas on how to explain that to them since they are so use to being able to do that and a month is a long time in a 3 year old's world.

I have a 3yo, and she understood that mommy had owies. She was very gentle when climbing up in my hospital bed and kissed my owies. It was pretty sweet. Gentle reminders every now and again, but she's done really well so far. 

The dog on the other hand...

Yup, that would be my explanation too. No need to go into details that might make the kid worry, just "need to be careful because Mommy has a boo-boo."

I'm a big fan of telling the truth, but keeping it age appropriate.  "Mumma can't pick you up for a little while until my boo-boos are all healed." etc.  Good luck!

My daughter was 4, so a little older than yours. I told my girls I had surgery on my tummy and had to rest until I felt better. She was fine sitting next to me and snuggling with me on the couch.

All of these answers are great.  Place a calendar on the frig so they can see, or even mark the days to pick-up time.  Until then, spend more time laying on the floor with them.

I have a 2 1/2 year old.  I showed her my scars on my belly and she immediately got it.  In fact, she asked to see them frequently after that.  She would crawl up in the chair next to me and snuggle and that has become a new favorite thing for her.  The bigger problem I had was my husband leaving me in situations where I might have to pick her up.  You cant be expect to "watch" the kids while he cuts the grass or runs to the store or does any of a number of other things because kids this age tend to get themselves in situations where the only solution to get them out is to pick them up and move them.  

I had surgery about 6 weeks ago and I have a 2.5 year old. I showed him my "owies". He asked me if I needed to see a Dr. and I told him "yes, the Dr. is making me better", I didn't want to scare him or make him think the Dr. gave me the owies. We prepped weeks in advance. We taught him how to crawl into the car/his car-seat by himself, use stools to wash his hands/grab things he needed, we moved things down into his reach so that he could help me, etc. He loved being a big helper. He often got out his Dr's kit and would examine my incisions and ask me if they felt better. He was still rough sometimes, like accidentally kicking me on the couch, so I just reminded him to be careful and tried to keep a pillow as a buffer between us.

After about 3.5 weeks I could gently pick him up and after about 4.5 weeks I could carry him (short distances). My Dr's motto was "if it hurts, stop... trust your body". I had help for the first 2 weeks and so I was never in the position where I had to pick him up. My husband or Mom were always there to help me. It was wonderful having their support. 

Your twins will probably be curious and ask questions, I just kept telling my son that the Dr. was making me "all better". He understood and did his best to be careful with mommy's tummy.

Good luck, you and your kiddos will figure it out!