How to Talk With a Sick Child
For an adult, illness is uncomfortable and inconvenient. For a child, illness -- whether it is with a stomach virus or something more serious -- can elicit a whole range of emotions including anger, frustration, guilt, confusion and fear. It's important to explain illness to your child in words that he can understand and to help him process his emotions. If you are unsure how to comfort your sick child, ask advice from his pediatrician and hospital counselors.
Instructions
Explain the illness to your child in simple but honest language. Illness is a frightening experience for kids. Your child may be confused by his symptoms -- such as vomiting and fever -- or be scared of the doctor's office or hospital environment. With the pediatrician's help, describe sickness to your child. For instance, you might describe the flu as "your body battling bad bugs." Assure your child that although he feels miserable now, he'll be running and playing again in a few weeks. Prepare your child for procedures. For a young child, the anticipation of a scary event is often much worse than the experience itself. Head off your child's anxiety by explaining medical tests in simple terms. For instance, you might describe a blood draw as a test that will hurt for a few seconds. Explain that the test will give the doctors information they need to make your child feel better. Offer your child choices. Taking medicine is nonnegotiable, but it may give your child a sense of control if you ask whether he would like his medicine in a cup or mixed with some applesauce. Decision making may also distract him from frightening procedures. For instance, ask whether he would like you to read him a story or sing a song while he gets an X-ray. Stay calm. Children are very attuned to the mood of adults close to them. If you are anxious, upset or worried, your child will feed off your emotions. Stay optimistic and upbeat when you are around your sick child. Seek counseling or help from a support group to process your emotions in private. Be patient with bad behavior. Sick children often cope with their emotions by acting out. Your child may suddenly start hitting, crying, throwing tantrums or wetting the bed. Enforce rules, but do so gently. Ask the hospital staff to establish a routine for your child that will help him feel more secure. Encourage your child to ask the doctors and nurses lots of questions. He may feel less frightened and more in control if he can get answers from professionals. Explain that the hospital staff is there to help him feel better. Help your child explore his emotions. Sick children often have a hard time explaining what they feel. Your child may be worried that the illness is his fault or that he might die. Ask your child lots of questions to identify his emotions. If he has difficulty communicating, ask him to tell you a story or draw a picture. Younger kids may have an easier time expressing feelings indirectly through art, music or storytelling. Talk about times you've felt upset, scared, angry or frustrated so that your child knows you identify with his feelings.
