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Tips For Parents Supporting a Sick Child
PAMPER YOURSELF Make sure
you try to rest well, eat wisely, and exercise. Pamper yourself from time
to time, wear comfortable clothes and shoes so you don't feel constricted,
and take breaks away from your child.
FOCUS ON YOUR FEELINGS Genuine caregiving involves your emotions. As a caregiver, you may feel obligated to be above your feelings. However, all of your feelings are worth your attention and expression; don't ignore them. Acknowledge
and validate your feelings, explore your emotions, then release all of
it to someone you can trust. Consider turning to treatment staff or other
parents of children with cancer for support. Perhaps, your hospital social
worker can guide you to a local support group.
SET LIMITS AROUND YOUR CAREGIVING As much
as you would like to, you simply cannot be with your child around the clock.
You will end up neglecting your own needs, which eventually will have a
negative affect on your caregiving abilities. Giving yourself a break will
allow other caregivers-usually family members and friends-to spend time
with and participate in your child's care. This allows them to become familiar
with the child's life in the hospital and their treatment. Make special
effort to communicate with your spouse or others close to you. Take time
to do things together that you enjoyed doing together before your child
became sick. Finally, realize that your child needs an occasional break
from you as much as you do from him or her.
BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, NOT A TORNADO Face it, you're not a superhero-you can't fly around a hospital room in seconds taking care of every problem, making everyone feel better while keeping yourself and your emotions in complete control. Relax and do what you can, but realize you can't always rush in and fix everything-no one can. Learn the importance of just sitting down and listening when it's needed. Sometimes listening is all you can do. Sometimes it's the best thing you could possibly do for your child. - Accept offers for help. When people ask what they can do, request help with yard work, food shopping, housework, anything that you know may be neglected during treatment. - Delegate
a spokesperson. Because you can expect many concerned family members and
friends to call for information on your child, you may want to consider
leaving updates on your outgoing answering machine message or designate
a willing family member to be the spokesperson who returns calls concerning
your child.
LAUGH Go ahead-it's
okay. That old phrase laughter is the best medicine really holds true.
Positive attitudes can play a vital role in the treatment and recovery
process. Finding even a little humor during the often monotonous and difficult
hospital stays can make the days go faster for everyone. Read a funny book,
paste humorous comic strips on a wall poster, watch comedy movies-anything
to relieve a little stress.
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The
Healthiest Way to Care for Another is to Care for Yourself. Caring for
a sick child demonstrates the true meaning of unconditional love. Even
under the best circumstances, caregiving can be enormously stressful. Whether
for two weeks or two years, caregiving can become a part of who you are.
Remember, it is not selfish, but essential to care for yourself as well
as your child-you will both benefit. Here are some hints that can help
you combat the stress and anxiety caregivers live with everyday.
