As school going children, almost all of us at some time or the other, have stayed at home due to an ailment or a prolonged sickness. Colds, flu, measles and other minor diseases or injuries can keep your child away from school and other activities for some days or even weeks.

But if your child has been affected by  a chronic condition, like 

 

• Anemia(chronic)
• Cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Cancer etc

then his everyday life is in danger of getting seriously affected. 

 

Chronic conditions or illnesses need intensive health care and rounds of hospitalization, and this not only takes a toll on the child but affects the entire family and his siblings in a very profound way. For one, the family routine and career schedules get all messed up, moreover the atmosphere in the entire house can get very depressing and morose.

 

WHAT CAN ONE DO IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS?

 

1. Do not forget to keep your child informed : Give your child all the information that you think he needs to know. If you keep him in the dark, about the disease and other details, his imagination might just take off on its own, and he might get very scared of what is in store.

2. Get into the planning mode: If the condition is a distressing one, then hospital check-ups and surgeries or procedure need to be planned well in advance. Do not spring surprises on your child. Planning for the event will help him and the whole family to get prepared.

3. Support them with activities and friends: During this troublesome phase, losing friendships or staying away from activities can have a critical impact on your child. See to it that he continues to stay absorbed in his favorite activities and stays connected with his friends, even making new friends can be quite fulfilling at this juncture. Friends of your child will help to see him stay optimistic and cheerful. Peer influences can play a big role in this condition, so help your child in this area, by getting him to share good time with his friends and group members.

4. Have fun with your family: The entire family goes through a very stressful time during the child’s illness, so make it a point to spend some valuable ‘fun’ times together. Do not discuss the illness always, but instead play family games and some cheer-boosters like scrabble, monopoly or any other game that involves all the members of your family. Schedule these fun events regularly.

 

And above all, remember to take good care of yourself, and your spouse, for unless you do that, you will not be able to take care of your child at this critical juncture! Keep your routines as normal as possible, and stay together to face the illness together! And do not forget- tough times never last, but tough people do! And you will definitely see it through!