Fortunately my experience of children in hospital is limited.
I was in hospital when I was 10. I had to have my appendix removed , complications resulted in me getting pneumonia and one of my lungs collapsed . The hospital that I was in was in Liverpool, my dad who is a massive Liverpool football club fan was visiting me one afternoon when we overheard a nurse saying that a football player from the club was coming into the ward to visit the children. My dad could hardly contain his excitement and when Kevin Keegan (who was quite famous at the time) walked into the ward, my dad went to the front of the line of children who were waiting to see him and started chatting like they were old friends. He then managed to get autographs for almost every child on our housing estate, as well as one for me, although at the time I had no idea who Kevin Keegan was!
Also while I was a patient myself and a girl that I had become friends with liked to ‘help’ the nurses by playing with and reading stories to the younger children.Initially this made me think that I would like to become a nurse when I grew up, until I noticed one nurse trying to take blood from a baby which made me think that I didn’t think I could do that.
My own children spent short periods of time in hospital. My eldest son was taken in by ambulance when he was 2. This was very frightening luckily it was nothing too serious and he made a full recovery after being kept in for a few days for tests. As I had just given birth to his brother my husband stayed with him and slept on a camp bed beside him so that he wouldn’t be afraid.
My middle son had a squint in his eye corrected by surgery when he was 14 months old. This time I stayed with him.He enjoyed playing in the playroom and when back on the ward he kept saying “home” which I took to mean that he wanted to go home, so I tried to take his mind off it by playing games with him. It wasn’t until we were discharged and walked past the playroom on our way out that he pointed to the Wendy house in the playroom and said “home” , it was then that I realised that he had been asking to play in the house all along.
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My niece had a similar operation when she was 4 . When I visited she told me, “Auntie Karen, I have glass in my eye and nobody will take it out”. It wasn’t glass just the stitches which felt like glass to her, she soon forgot about it when I put her on my lap and read her a story.
Years later I was visiting a friend on a children’s ward when a baby who was in a cot opposite us started crying as he was alone I walked over to see if he was alright, he had dropped his dummy from his mouth so I put it back in I hadn’t noticed that he was attached to a few wires which I accidentally disturbed and an alarm went off . The nurse who came to investigate said no harm had been done and thanked me for trying to help. My youngest granddaughter had to go to the accident and emergency department when she fell and cut her head , her older sister who thinks that she is a nurse wanted to treat her at home with her own first aid kit.
While I was staying in hospital with my son another mother who was also staying told me that as her husband kept forgetting to bring in some clean clothes for her she was going to walk into town to go to Marks and Spencer to buy some new underwear!
On a similar subject to hospital. I took my 3 year old son to see the doctor as he kept telling me that he had a headache, when the doctor asked him where the pain was, I thought “Er, in his head, of course” But to my surprise he pointed to his tummy, the doctor explained that he had maybe heard me say that I had a headache and presumed that any pain was called a headache, so not such a stupid question after all.
If you know that your child has to spend some time in hospital try to prepare him for the stay by reading books together on the subject. Usborne publishing have a book titled going to hospital and Topsy and Tim go to the hospital by Jean and Gareth Adamson
are both good choices, you could also buy your child a doctor or nurses dressing up outfit and toy first aid kit for making their toys feel better.
Nowadays most children’s wards are fairly flexible over visiting times so if you can’t stay over night with your child as we did, then try to stay for as long as possible to make it as stress free as you can.
Please share any experiences of children and hospital.
As always questions/comments are welcome and please share on social media.
Until next time
Karen
x
My kiddo was in the hospital for 4 days with a virus. I was surprised at how they went above and beyond to not only care for her but me as well. I was given meals, showers and anything I asked for. Super kind. In a time of fear and uncertainty they helped not just her but me as well. #thatsatsesh
Having a child is hospital is so scary. #TheListLinky
My son was in hospital several times as a child with asthma and minor operations, but it’s my daughter that’s spent the most time having had five surgeries. For a couple of years the hospital was like second home (Even my phone thought it was, giving me estimated times to get home and directions to the hospital!) My tip would be to prepare any other children who were left at home too, they can find the whole experience very upsetting. (and never let your husband fetch your clothes/pj’s…. mine bought me in a bag of frilly bras and leggings to keep me going!)
#LGRTStumble
My oldest son had to have his tonsils and adenoids removed but we were thankful to learn that he would not have to stay overnight and we were able to be right by his side until they wheeled him off to surgery. My youngest son did have to stay overnight in when he was an infant but I got to room in with him and I have fund that all the children’s wards are so helpful and kind and caring. We have been very lucky to have had such great experiences. #FamilyFunLinkky
We spent a stressful week and a bit in with our 3rd baby when she developed bronchialitis. It was horrid but being able to stay with her and have the friendly support of the staff was amazing. I will never forget how great those nurses were.
#TriumphantTales
Hospital is never a nice place to have to be, and when kids are the patients its even sadder. Thankfully other then one time when mum and dad were being over cautious our toddler hasn’t had to stay in hospital – yet. Although given his active lifestyle and need to climb on just about anything its only a matter of time lol
I worked on a children heart ward when I was doing some work experience. It was such an amazing place to be as there was some very poorly children, but they would just keep on smiling. It’s important for kids to learn about things through play and reading. My twins were prem so I had to be in with them for a bit, we have been so lucky we never have had to come back in for a stay with them. Only a couple of A&E trips. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
We narrowly avoided an overnight stay a few years ago. Hopefully we will be as lucky in the future! Thanks for sharing with #TriumphantTales 🙂
Thank you for sharing 🌟 We have a hospital visit on Monday so this is very helpful. Thank you for linking up to #pointshoot 📷
Spending time in hospital as a child is certainly not nice, was there myself. Even less fun when you’re the parent of a child there, also been that.
I do think that we have a great medic system in the UK though.
We’ve been lucky as the Tubblet has never had to stay over-night in hospital although we’ve had a few visits to A&H over the years. It’s not great but the NHS are wonderful
Back again from #ablogginggoodtime
We are very fortunate, and I am knocking on wood right now! #pointshoot xoxo
My daughter had an operation at Christmas she was almost 3.5. I was so worried about. It was only a minor op but an op nonetheless. Fortunately all went well and it was the best decision we made but it certainly was an expereince. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun
Unfortunately we are well used to hospitals, especially with my middle son who has a medical condition that was life threatening when he was a baby. We have never been lucky enough to meet Kevin Keegan though!! Thanks for sharing with #Blogstravaganza
Luckily we’ve not had our children stay in hospital overnight, and I hope we don’t have to! #Blogstravaganza
Hi Karen, my eldest has been in and out of hospital over the years. The first time was when he was about eight years old and he was admitted for so they could do tests for a muscle condition he has. The tests weren’t nice, but he took it in his stride. The worst times (for me) was when he had a muscle biopsy and I didn’t know what to expect when he came out of anasthetic and when he had to have a nasty test where needles were inserted into his muscles and electric currents were run through them. He’s survived well, but I almost didn’t!
Thank you for linking up with #keepingitreal.
xx