Preparing your child for a stay in hospital
With some preparation, the hospital stay may be made much easier - for both child and family. One of the hardest things for children to understand is that something that hurts or feels strange is actually helping them. Anticipation and not knowing can make it worse. Naturally, how much your child understands will depend on age and maturity.Visit the hospital
If your hospital allows, you should visit the facility with your child. During the visit, familiarize you and your child with the whole process, explaining whom you will meet and what you will experience the day of the procedure.We understand that hospitals are busy places and it is not always possible to do this.
What can a parent do?
Parents can be helpful by being careful about the words they use to describe hospital procedures. For example, instead of saying "put to sleep" when talking about anesthesia, you can talk about receiving a special sleeping medicine. Pay careful attention to how pediatric staff explain shots and other procedures and try to use the same language. If you are unsure about what may happen, it's better to answer, "I don't know" than to promise a child something that later turns out to be false.If you have other siblings, be sure to explain, as best you can, what will be happening. Hospitalization affects the whole family, so be prepared for concern on the part of siblings. Parents should also encourage your child to express feelings, fears and fantasies. Let your child know it is okay to cry and listen to their concerns or fears. You shoudl also pack their favourite toys, clothes etc.
Returning home
When your child is leaving the hospital, some simple steps may help make the adjustment to home as easy as possible.- Return the child to his regular home routine and give him responsibilities that match his abilities.
- Give him some choices over what to eat or do.
- Permit the child to express anger, frustration or sadness, and offer reassurance and support.
- Avoid leaving the child for long periods of time or overnight until your child has settled in again.
- If you have any problems after arriving home, please call your child surgeon. The surgeon should explain what to look out for before you leave the hospital.
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