Worrying about your child when they are not surrounded by the safety your home provides is normal, but there are many ways to help alleviate some of this stress, especially if your child has a bleeding disorder. Communicating with those that spend the most time with your child when they are away from home is essential. Providing them with information about the condition will not only make them more comfortable around your child, but will help you ensure they have the best possible care.
Educate
To begin, know how to accurately counsel those who will be around your child when you are not home, including the babysitter, school nurse or teacher. There are many resources that include pictures describing the disease and language that is easily digested by others. Using materials that outline hemophilia in a manner that is clear is always a good place to start. Explaining first aid treatments and how to handle a cut is also extremely important. Again, easy-to-comprehend, step-by-step instructions work best.
Plan
For younger children with Hemophilia, away-from-home play dates with other children and parents can cause worry as well. Always keep an up-to-date contact list near the telephone as well as with any of your child’s caretakers. Sticking to the basic talking points mentioned above are helpful in these cases, but be sure to create a list of approved sports and games that your child is allowed to play. Refining this process for yourself and your family early on will allow for plenty of practice so that you may both prevent injury and help your child remain involved with activities with his or her peers.
Communicate
Be sure to provide this same information to your child’s teacher and school nurse. It is best to set aside time to meet with each person in an effort to communicate and clear up any worries you may have. To help field questions other children in the classroom may have, there are some helpful talking points that can be given to teachers, camp counselors, and other adult supervisors which address typical questions kids might have about the condition.
By practicing these tips, you can have peace of mind knowing your child is well protected even when he or she is not at home.
Sources:
World Federation of Hemophilia – Hemophilia in Pictures: http://www.wfh.org/en/index.html
Living With Hemophilia – Keeping Your Child Safe Away from Home: http://www.livingwithhaemophilia.com/on-the-go/articles/away-from-home.jsp
Living With Hemophilia – Talking Points for the School Visit:
http://www.livingwithhaemophilia.com/pdf/talk-to-school.pdf
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