after the injury

What to do After the Injury

Quick Tips to Help Parents Help Their Kids Recover

While doctors at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia know that injury prevention is the best “medicine,” the sad fact is that kids do get hurt. In fact, 9.2 million children are injured each year, making it equally important for parents to know how to handle what happens after the injury

Depending on the child and the circumstances, kids can have different reactions after an injury or accident has occurred. And sometimes, kids are fine, but parents continue to worry. Here are some tips to help parents be prepared.

1. Remember you are the best person to help your child. If your child ends up needing to go to the hospital, try to be calm and reassuring, although it may be difficult at times. Give frequent hugs and praise. Hold your child’s hand during tests and procedures, and distract your child with stories and pictures. Learn more about how to handle a hospital visit.

2. Let you child know that they are safe. In the first days and weeks following an injury many children fear that something bad might happen to them again. Learn more about helping your child with new fears or worries.

3. Allow children to talk about their feelings, and their worries, if they want to. Let your child know that it is o.k. to feel a little upset. After something scary like an injury, it not always easy to know how to talk with your child about it. Here are some things that other parents have found helpful.

4. Go back to normal routines. It is important to help your child get plenty of sleep, eat regular meals, and keep up with schoolwork. You have an important role in your child’s recovery, so you need to know what your child needs.

5.Take time to deal with your own feelings. In addition to all of the things you do to help your child, it’s important to remember to take good care of yourself. Learn more about your own reactions and get tips for taking care of yourself.

6. Help your child to do things on his or her own. It is often tempting to do things for your child after he or she is injured or ill. But it is more helpful for children to do things again on their own. As much as the injury allows, encourage your child to do the things (including chores) he or she used to do. Learn more about helping children adjust after an injury or trip to the hospital.

7. Take stock of how you and your child are doing after the injury. As you think about how to help your child, try to separate what you are feeling from your child’s experiences and needs Take a quick quiz to help you gauge your child’s emotional recovery and identify any reactions that might need special attention.

Visit www.AfterTheInjury.org to read full tip sheets, learn more about child injury and pain care, take a quiz to rate your child's reactions to injury, and create a personalized care plan to help parents help their child recover from injury

guest posted by michelle from aftertheinjury.org thanks, michelle, for this terrific information and great resources for parents!

Comments

[Kellyn]

This is such important information. I love that you put this post together. It will help so many!