Guest Post - Adapting to a Child’s Medical Needs without Interfering

Thank you to Amanda Carlson, from www.newborncare.com, for this guest post on some ideas for parents dealing with a child's illness. Hopefully you won't ever need advice on advocating for your child while letting his care team do their jobs.

Adapting to a Child’s Medical Needs without Interfering

Part of being a parent is being able to smile when it's the last thing we want to do. We need to be the child's strength during trying times in order to prove that everything will be OK even if we have doubts that it will be. Having a child suffering from ailments requiring medical procedures can be nerve wracking for a parent and one of the most stressful situations one can possibly endure. There are several ways that a parent can adapt to situations and be that beacon of safety that the child needs.

1. Non-Interference - Although you want to be with your child at all times in a situation that requires hospitalization or medical care, it is best that you do not involve yourself. You must trust that the medical professional will do everything in his or her power to ensure the safety of your child. Depending on the situation, standing by your child's side could be detrimental for the child's treatment as you would be in the way. It is vital that you realize this and let the medical care professionals do their job.

2. Calmness - If you are unable to be at your child's side for medical reasons, swallow your pride and smile. If the circumstance is dire, a child seeing a parent distraught could hinder the procedure as the child will become afraid of what is going on. Keep your wits about you and calmly inform the child that there is nothing to worry about as the medical staff will keep them safe. Don't forget to force that smile as a child will be less likely to become agitated if they see the parent is OK with the situation.

3. Your Medical Degree - Becoming a parent doesn't give you a degree in practicing medicine. Although the Internet can be a boon of information for treating nearly any sickness or physical ailment, taking your child to professionals doesn't make you less of a parent. Would you take your car to a mechanic who works on cars as a weekend hobby over one who does it day-in and day-out? Probably not. Your child should receive the best possible care and although your intentions may be sound, your skills at medical practices may not be.

4. A Pillar of Strength - It's a very difficult thing to see your child lying helpless on a medical bed. While it is extremely taxing over time, being strong for your child can give hope and provide comfort to him or her. Children can pick up on the emotional conditions of the parent. Worry and despair are the two emotions you don't want your children to begin showing during medical procedures and/or visits. It is too easy to give up and the loss of hope can worsen an illness. In times of crisis, hope is the one thing you don't want the child to lose. As a parent, you can provide that hope by not showing the negative emotions you are experiencing.

No one wants to experience hospitalization of a child for any reason. We go through life trying the best we can in order to keep the child safe from harm. When a medical visit is necessary, we sometimes feel that we have failed in our duties as a parent. Regardless of how many books you read, nothing can truly prepare you for every contingency. The best you can do is provide the most ideal environment possible to keep your child from harm. However, you need to realize that life is full of unknown variables and you need to keep a cool head.

Author Bio:

Amanda Carlson, a blogger as well as a former newborn care nurse contributed this post. To stay connected to her previous career and share the knowledge she gained, she began writing for www.newborncare.com. You can reach her at amanda.newborncare @ gmail.com.