Three Phrases Not To Say To Your Child

…while in the ER. That was supposed to be the whole title but I thought I’d run out of room. Dealing with children in the ER can be challenging. Unfortunately, parents can make it more challenging by some of the things they say.

Truth comes first. Even in pediatrics, we do not lie to children. If we don’t have the child’s trust, we’re not going to get very far. Parents can actually breech the trust we are trying to build with our patients by saying the following things.

You’re not going to get a shot. This is making a promise you may not be able to keep. Unless you know specifically what the proposed treatment plan is, I wouldn’t say anything about whether or not the child may get a stick. We may want to check a blood sugar, or some lab work for the presenting complaint. If you’ve told your child they aren’t getting a shot, and here we come with the needle, the person they’re likely going to mistrust first is me. It’s better to say, “I’m not sure, let’s talk to the doctor/nurse about it.”

This isn’t going to hurt. Unless you know for sure it’s not painful, don’t say it.

We’re very open with kids about what kind of pain they are going to experience                  and how long it should last for. Better to let the nurse describe to the child what the procedure is going to feel like. Experienced pediatric nurses are very good at this for every age group of children we deal with. Parents can be helpful by letting us in on terms you use at home or telling us ways you’ve used to aid your child in getting through something painful.

Oh, he’s not going to take that. This generally happens when we come into the room with an oral medication. First problem, you’ve set us up for failure. You’ve verbally given your child permission not to take it. Now, it’s probably going to definitely be a struggle. If you’re trying to let the nurse know that your child has difficulty taking oral meds—say, “We struggle with this at home.” The nurse can likely give you some pointers on getting the task done.

One tip always is to set the expectation of what you want your child to do. “Honey, will you take this for mommy?” Better is… “It’s time to take your medicine. Open your mouth for me.” See the difference?

What are your thoughts? Have you thought about the things you say to your child and how it can change the experience they have with their medical provider?

Jordyn Redwood has served the pediatric population and their families for many years. She has five years of experience in the pediatric ICU and ten years of pediatric ER nursing which is the area she currently works. Jordyn also teaches CPR and advanced resuscitation courses.

Jordyn is also a suspense author. Her novel, Proof, will be published by Kregel June 1, 2012. She also hosts a medical blog for authors which you can find at www.jordynredwood.com.

 

Disclaimer: Remember, these posts are for education and discussion. If your child is sick and you think they require medical attention, take them to their pediatrician or local emergency department.

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