Preparing Your Child for a Hospital Stay

A sick child brings out a parent's deepest instincts to protect and comfort. At the same time, you're dealing with a disrupted schedule and the ongoing demands of work, home and family. Advocate Hope Children's Hospital offers these tips to prepare you and your child for the hospital experience:

	Ask questions. Learn as much as you can about your child's condition. Find out what will take place at the hospital. Visit the hospital's Resource Center to learn more about a diagnosis or treatment plan. You'll feel more in control if you know what to expect. And your child will sense your confidence.
	Tell the truth. Answer children's questions honestly. But don't offer more details than they're interested in. What are your child's ideas about operations, doctors and medical tests? Find out, so you can clear up any confusion. For example, children sometimes think blood tests drain all the blood. Explain that there's a lot more blood inside, and that the body makes new blood all the time. Anesthesia is another sensitive point. If told they'll be "put to sleep" during an operation, children sometimes believe they won't wake up again. Let your child know that he or she will wake up shortly afterward.
	Plan for backup support. Both at work and at home, you can't do everything alone. If you have other children at home, seek a reliable friend, neighbor, family member or babysitter to be available when needed. If possible, set up carpools, meals and homework help. Do what you can to maintain normal family activities. Good backup plans will reduce your stress. Talk with the hospital's Child Life Services staff for more ideas and support.
	Encourage children to express their feelings. This goes for the patient's brothers and sisters, as well. For younger children, playing "hospital" or "doctor" is a good outlet. So is drawing pictures. Encourage older children and teenagers to talk about their concerns during an uninterrupted time, such as a ride in the car. Remind children of all ages not to blame themselves for their illness.
	Permit choices. Children feel better when they have some control over their care, whether it's deciding what pajamas to pack or which arm will get the injection. Choices become even more significant to teenagers.
	Take care of yourself. In trying to meet everyone else's needs, you may put your own on the back burner. Acknowledge this and take action to feel better: a walk around the block, a long hot shower, a funny movie...whatever works best for you.
	Plan to bring reminders of home. Familiar things can be comforting. Although the hospital supplies bedclothes, your child may prefer to wear his or her own pajamas, bathrobe and slippers. You may also want to bring your child's own toothbrush, toothpaste, comb or brush. Pack favorite books, easily washable toys or family photos. If a small child has a beloved blanket, teddy bear or other security object, by all means bring it to the hospital. Make sure personal possessions are labeled with your child's name or initials.
	Take advantage of hospital resources. If your hospital offers pre-surgical tours or visits, such as the Wee Care Surgery Orientation and Tour at Hope Children's Hospital, try to participate. Sensitive, experienced health care professionals can complement your efforts to comfort and reassure your child.
	Have faith in your strength and in your child's strength. Children often cope better than we expect.