| How to help a friend whose child is in hospital | 1156.00000000000 | How to help a friend whose child is in hospital | How to help a friend whose child is in hospital | H | English | NA | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | NA | NA | Support, services and resources | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2012-06-13T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 5.20000000000000 | 78.8000000000000 | 444.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>Read about some practical help you can provide if you have a friend who has a sick child in the hospital.</p> | <p>Having a
sick child in the hospital is very stressful for parents. Day-to-day life is disrupted, but still needs to go on. Help from friends and family is usually welcome, but many people are not sure how to help a friend whose child is in hospital. Asking "Is there anything I can do to help?" may not get you a list. Many parents are
<a href="/Article?contentid=1138&language=English">embarrassed to ask for help</a> from friends and family, or they may simply be overwhelmed and unable to think of anything. Be specific: think about what help your friends might need, and offer them a choice of two or three suggestions.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>Many parents who have a sick child in the hospital do not want to ask for help. Offer to help by suggesting you complete a few day-to-day tasks for them that need doing.</li>
</ul> | <h2>Practical help for friends with a sick child</h2><p>Depending on how close you are, here are some practical things you might offer to do:</p><ul><li>Act as a "point person" to relay information to other friends. Parents can often get frustrated or overwhelmed when friends and relatives are all phoning to ask how the sick child is doing.
<br></li><li>Car pool the sick child's siblings to lessons, school or appointments.</li><li>Babysit for an evening.</li><li>Look in on seniors.</li><li>Walk the dog or take care of other pets.</li><li>Buy a load of groceries.</li><li>Cook a meal for the family, or send takeout.
<a href="http://www.takethemameal.com/" target="_blank">Take Them a Meal</a> is a website that helps family and friends coordinate a meal schedule.</li><li>Bring some
<a href="/Article?contentid=1147&language=English">healthy snacks to the hospital</a>.</li><li>Tidy and clean the house.</li><li>Do a load of laundry.</li><li>Water the plants.</li><li>Mow the lawn or do other work in the garden.</li><li>Shovel the driveway.</li><li>Take out the garbage and recycling.</li><li>Round up and return library books.</li><li>If you do not have much time to spare or you do not live nearby, a gift card for coffee or a visit from a cleaning service are also welcome.</li></ul><p>Your emotional support and friendship are also important:</p><ul><li>Remember that your friends may not have much mental or emotional energy to spare while their child is in hospital.</li><li>They may not be in touch as often as usual. Check in with them regularly and offer practical help when you can.</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=1138&language=English">Parents of a sick child</a> need to look after themselves. If you visit them in hospital, make it clear that they do not have to entertain you. Encourage them to take a break. </li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/how_to_help_a_friend_whose_child_is_in_hospital.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/how_to_help_a_friend_whose_child_is_in_hospital.jpg | | | | | | | How to help a friend whose child is in hospital | | False | | | | | | | | |
