| Being an adult and having an extended stay at the | | | | for my daughter. |
| hospital is bad enough. Being a child or the parent of a | | | | Think about their favorite pastimes. Does a coloring |
| child who is going to be spending time in the hospital is | | | | book and crayons or play doh keep them occupied for |
| even worse. We all like the comforts of home, the | | | | hours? Does your child enjoy crafts or playing cards? |
| things we are familiar with to make us feel safe and | | | | Do they like to listen to music or have a favorite DVD? |
| secure. When you are packing for your child's hospital | | | | Do they listen to a certain CD when they are going to |
| stay, there are some things that you can pack to help | | | | bed at night? Check with the hospital to see if you |
| your child have some of the comforts of home and to | | | | could bring a CD player or if they have a DVD player |
| help them pass the time. | | | | in the room. |
| The first thing that you need to do is to make a list of | | | | Most hospitals will have guidelines as to what you can |
| their favorite things, including bedtime routines and | | | | or can't bring with you. Of course, whatever you bring |
| objects that bring them comfort. If the hospital permits | | | | will depend on what type of treatment or medical |
| it, bring as much of this with you as possible. If you | | | | services your child is receiving. Being on bed rest will |
| read a book together every night before going to bed | | | | limit some activities that they can do. As their parent, |
| it will be comforting to them to have you read it before | | | | the best thing you can do is to make sure that you are |
| they go to bed in the hospital. Thinking of my own | | | | doing whatever you can to help them feel safe, |
| children, we couldn't make it without their snugglies, a | | | | secure and comforted and to help their hospital stay |
| few matchbox cars for my son or Dr. Seuss books | | | | pass as quickly as possible. |