By Jennifer Guilliams Monday

The University of Kentucky Public Relations & Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week’s column is by Jennifer Guilliams, the Child Life Coordinator at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 9, 2020) — During the winter months, pediatric admissions to the hospital increase due to flu and respiratory infections. In hospitals, a team of Child Life specialists help parents and kids cope with being in the hospital. Here are some tips from them to reduce your child’s fear during a scary and stressful time.

  • Pack a bag. Bringing a blanket from home, as well as extra clothes, comfort items, cell phone charger, and your child’s favorite things will help them feel more at home.
  • Advocate. You are the expert and know your child better than anyone. Talk to your child’s care team about what qualifies as normal or abnormal behavior for your child.
  • Accept help. Hospital stays affect the whole family. Take a break, allow visitors, call a friend and lean on your support system
  • Self-care. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your child; don’t forget to eat, sleep and take breaks throughout their stay.
  • Ask questions. Speak up, keep notes, write down questions for the care team, especially if your child requires care after they leave the hospital.
  • Decorate the room. Hang up artwork, pictures, cards. Involve your child in the decoration so they can make the space their own.
  • Get up. Encourage your child to get out of bed and out of the room. Visit the playroom, go for a walk or participate in child life activities.
  • Be honest. Explain to your child what is happening and why in a developmentally appropriate way; ask them what they think is going to happen and create a coping plan
  • Do not forget siblings. Your child’s hospitalization impacts everyone in the family. Siblings can sometimes feel lost or forgotten, so make sure you pay attention to their feelings.
  • Stick to a routine similar to home. Your child still needs structure; consistency, and rules or boundaries are important.
  • Offer choices and control when possible. Your child’s choices are valid; whether it’s what movie to watch or to eat for dinner, let them have some control in a situation where they otherwise feel helpless.
  • Take it one day at a time. Be patient, stay calm, be positive; identify something good that happened each day.

The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named UK among the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity recognized us as a Diversity Champion three years running. UK is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety. UK has been judged a “Great College to Work for” two years in a row, and UK is among only 22 universities in the country on Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Employers.”  We are ranked among the top 10 percent of public institutions for research expenditures — a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And our patients know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been named the state’s top hospital for four straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent: the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to be not simply the University of Kentucky, but the University for Kentucky.