When I was six years old I went into hospital for a three day stay in order to have a tonsillectomy. It was 1958 and hospitals were strict, scary places that were not in the least bit child friendly. It speaks volumes that, all these years later, I can still vividly remember many things from this admission.

Thankfully these days most hospitals have made attempts to relax patients especially children. Our local hospital has children's wards that have many toys and are decorated in a very fun way. Parents staying on the ward 24/7, whilst the child is an inpatient, is actively encouraged. It helps the child and alleviates some of the work for the over worked staff. However if you have work or other commitments you will need to plan a rota for this before the child's admission.

Preparing your child for a hospital stay is vital. Years ago children were kept uninformed and this can be more frightening. When preparing your child for a hospital stay do not be frightened to ask the hospital ward's staff for advice. Many hospitals like children to visit the ward beforehand and get a feel for the place. Sometimes this can be done as part of the outpatient process or pre-op assessment.Seeing the area in a more relaxed way like this can be beneficial. It is possible for thr child to chat to nursing staff who will be looking after them which will enable them to put names to faces.

When keeping a child up to date with details of their hospital admission you will have to judge each child on an individual basis. It will depend on the age of the child and the child themselves. As you will know your child well, you should be able to make the right assessment about how much they should know.

As with all patients, packing a bag is important. Many children have little items which are 'comforters' Such things as an old small blanket or small teddy bear. It is essential that these are packed. Obviously you will not want to pack too much and this will depend on how long the hospital stay may be. Still you can always take other items in at a later date. As well as essentials a favourite book, a comic, colouring book and some crayons could be useful.The essentials will be:
Pyjamas or nightdress.
Slippers.
Underwear.
Toileteries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hairbrush, shampoo etc.
Any medication that the child is taking.
Perhaps something like a gameboy, although you will need to limit the valuables which you take into hospital.

Whether you are 5, 55 or 95 a hospital stay can be very daunting. It is easy for panic to set in before you are even admitted. Try to get your child to talk about the planned hospital admission. See if you can get them to express any concerns so that, if possible, you can find the answers. Be supportive and try to allay any fears. However, in doing so, you must try not to put such thoughts into a child's head. After all your child may take this admission in his or her stride and to much preparation on your part could actually instill some fear in their mind and be detrimental.

Learn more about this author, Ethel Smith.
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