Although kids with chronic long-term illnesses certainly require extra "TLC," Else notes that special medical requirements don't eliminate the routine needs of childhood. The foremost – and perhaps trickiest – task for worried parents is to treat a sick child as normally as possible. Despite the circumstances, this means setting limits on unacceptable behavior and sticking to a regular routine. Although this may seem impossible at stressful times, your child may have a harder time readjusting when he/she becomes well.
When your child leaves the hospital for home, normalcy remains the goal. All children need to visit with friends, go to school or receive homebound instruction, and have private time alone. As much as possible, it helps for parents to respect these aspects of childhood development.
