Tips for Preparing Your Child for a Hospital Stay
- Ask staff what a typical day in the hospital is like. Learn about your child's health condition, tests and treatments, so you can prepare your child.
- Encourage your child to ask questions and answer them simply and honestly. It is okay to tell your child if you do not know an answer, and that you will do your best to get an answer from hospital staff.
- Encourage your child to bring a favorite item from home-a blanket or toy-to help make the hospital more familiar and comforting.
- Pretend and "play" hospital before, during, and after your stay. Play is a great way for children to act out concerns and express their feelings.
- Read books, color pictures or write stories about the hospital. This is another way for children to share their feelings.
- Help your child become familiar with the hospital by taking a tour. The Child Life Department gives tours for you and your child to see the unit, meet staff and learn about the hospital.
- Be sure to include brothers and sisters. When children have incomplete information, they create fantasies that are often worse than reality. Allow and encourage them to ask questions and share their feelings.
- Decide where you will stay when your child is in the hospital. One adult family member can stay overnight in the hospital room. The Ronald McDonald House can provide inexpensive lodging to immediate family members. Call (585) 442-5437.
- Bring your child's schoolwork. School helps kids stay in touch with life outside the hospital. You can check with your school if you need to plan for tutoring. Child Life Specialists can also assist in coordinating school work and tutoring.
