Take Your Child To The Hospital And Check Her Health Regularly
If you child must be hospitalized it is important that you are prepared. The main aspect of being prepared is to develop a calm attitude about the hospitalization. This is often difficult because many parents feel responsible for their child’s illness or feel unable to manage the problem. In order to do this you need to find out as much as possible about the hospitalization. You can do this by discussingyour concerns with your child’s doctor, talking with other parents who have previously been in similar situations (your doctor may suggest some families that you may contact), or by visitingthe hospital in advance. The latter may not be possible in an emergency situation. Hospitals and hospital personnel vary inntheir responsiveness to and accommodation of parental concerns. As a parent, you are your child’s advocate. As an advocate, your duty is to make the circumstancesthe least trying for your child.
Once you are prepared for your child’s hospitalization you can prepare your child. To some extent these preparations depend on your child’s age. A younger child, one less than 5 years of age, fears separation from the family. The older child has considerable fears surrounding what will happen to him/her during the hospitalization. This child may be afraid of personal harm or damage. Many children often feel that they are going to be hospitalization is not a form of punishment. Your child will be better prepared if he/she can find out as much as possible about the hospitalization just as you did for yourself. You can do this by having your child talk with other children who have previously been in similar situations (your doctor may suggest some families that you may contact), by visiting the hospital in advance, or by using well illustrated books (see additional resources for children for children). Remember to always be honest with your child. Answer his/her question in a calm and logical manner. The child is, as a result of this procces of familiarization, reassured about the hospitalization as well as the protection of his/her parents in difficult.
AT THE HOSPITAL
As your child’s advocate you should try to stay with him/her during the hospitalization as much as possible. Your staying helps the younger child avoid fearing separation and abandonment. Most hospitals do have provisions for a parent to stay except in extremely unusual circumstances. If for whatever reason you cannot stay with your child, then you must explain to your child when you will be at the hospital. Your child will count on you to follow through with these promise. It may be helpful for you to have other family members or responsible friends stay with or visit your child. To make your child’s stay more comfortable let him/her bring a familiar toy and comfortable clothing. Whoever stays with the child should encourage hospital personnel to explain their role and what they are doing as well as answering your child’s concerns.
Children in the hospital often manifest different behaviors. It is quite healthy for the normal child to protest hospitalization and many of the procedures. A child who becomes too compliant or even withdrawn is having a bad psychological experience with the hospitalization. Though the hospital personnel may find this behaviour pleasing, it should serve as a warning sign for you and/or the child’s physician to explore the reasons for this behaviour.
AFTER THE HOSPITALIZATION
After a hospitalization it is very common for children to exhibit regressive behaviour such as sleep disturbances or regression in control of elimination habits. Your child may also have feelings such as anger that need to be ventilated. The child who has been well-prepared for the hospitalization often feels a sense of accomplishment after handling the situation.