Around 8,000 children aged 1-19 visit the ER because of falls each day in the US. A further 254,000 kids are injured while cycling each year. The home isn’t always safe, either. Around 2,000 children aged under 15 die because of accidents in the home, such as burns, poisoning, drowning, suffocation, and firearm incidents. Gun deaths rose by 50% between 2019 and 2021, according to Pew Research.
Seeing your child in pain or struggling with new limitations takes an immense physical and emotional toll. As a parent or family member, you play a critical role in helping your loved ones heal both physically and emotionally after an accident. Here are some tips for supporting your family during this challenging time.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer and a Counselor
It is important to get professional help after the accident. A counselor can help with the mental health struggles of your kid and all the family members. Speak with a personal injury lawyer if your child was injured in an accident caused by someone else. A lawyer can help you claim compensation to cover medical costs and more.
Provide Comfort and Reassurance
In the initial aftermath of an accident, your child will likely feel scared, confused, or sad. Offer plenty of comfort through your words, presence, and affection. Reassure them that you are there and will help them through whatever comes next. Validate their feelings and let them know it’s okay to feel upset or overwhelmed. Do your best to remain calm, as your stability can be reassuring. Tell them how much you love them and that things will get better with time.
Help Manage Pain and Treatment
5.1 million kids were admitted to hospital in 2019. Work closely with your child’s medical team to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. Learn techniques like visualization or deep breathing to help distract from pain or fear during treatments. Advocate for your child if you feel their pain is not being adequately addressed. Keep track of medications and therapies.
Offer lots of positive reinforcement for their cooperation and bravery with medical procedures. Your involvement can help improve their healing process.
Encourage Open Communication
Create an environment where your child feels safe opening up about their experience, concerns, and feelings. Don’t force them to talk before they are ready. Listen attentively without judgment when they want to talk. Ask thoughtful questions to better understand their emotional state and needs. Avoid minimizing their feelings. Let them know you are always available for comfort and support. Seeing you listen compassionately will encourage further communication.
Help Them Build Coping Skills
Between 14% and 43% of children experience a traumatic event in their lives, and 7% and 2% of girls and boys respectively end up with PTSD. Therapy, support groups, journaling, arts and crafts, or other outlets can help your child build coping skills to process their emotions in a healthy way.
Find activities suited to their interests and abilities. Working with occupational or physical therapists can also help them gain skills to adjust to limitations or regain independence in daily tasks. Building these skills gives your child tools to manage challenges down the road.
Remember, healing after a serious injury takes time. With love, patience, and open communication, you can help guide your family down the path to recovery. Don’t be afraid to also enlist the help of professionals like doctors, therapists, counselors, or support groups. Caring for yourself and coming together will help see your family through even the most difficult of hardships.
Jessica has a flair for writing engaging blogs and articles. She enjoys reading and learning new things which enables her to write different topics and fields with ease. She also strives to break down complex concepts and make them easy for anybody to comprehend.
