The hospital can be a very scary place for a child. One way to reduce the stress for your child and for you is to be prepared and to prepare your child for what is coming. Research actually shows that children heal and recuperate better from illnesses and injuries when they are prepared. When they can predict what will happen during their treatment, it builds a sense of trust and eases their stress.
Remember that you are an important part of the team. Working with the health care staff helps to make the process go more smoothly. This includes remaining calm and projecting a positive attitude to comfort your child. If the health care professional isn’t explaining things enough to your child, ask for clarification and explain to your child what he can expect. Obviously, if the situation is life threatening, this is irrelevant – but in a more contained situation it can be very helpful.
