Having a sick child in the hospital is very stressful for parents. Day-to-day life is disrupted, but still needs to go on. Help from friends and family is usually welcome, but many people are not sure how to help a friend whose child is in hospital. Asking "Is there anything I can do to help?" may not get you a list. Many parents are embarrassed to ask for help from friends and family, or they may simply be overwhelmed and unable to think of anything. Be specific: think about what help your friends might need, and offer them a choice of two or three suggestions.
Practical help for friends with a sick child
Depending on how close you are, here are some practical things you might offer to do:
- Act as a "point person" to relay information to other friends. Parents can often get frustrated or overwhelmed when friends and relatives are all phoning to ask how the sick child is doing.
- Car pool the sick child's siblings to lessons, school or appointments.
- Babysit for an evening.
- Look in on seniors.
- Walk the dog or take care of other pets.
- Buy a load of groceries.
- Cook a meal for the family, or send takeout. Take Them a Meal is a website that helps family and friends coordinate a meal schedule.
- Bring some healthy snacks to the hospital.
- Tidy and clean the house.
- Do a load of laundry.
- Water the plants.
- Mow the lawn or do other work in the garden.
- Shovel the driveway.
- Take out the garbage and recycling.
- Round up and return library books.
- If you do not have much time to spare or you do not live nearby, a gift card for coffee or a visit from a cleaning service are also welcome.
Your emotional support and friendship are also important:
- Remember that your friends may not have much mental or emotional energy to spare while their child is in hospital.
- They may not be in touch as often as usual. Check in with them regularly and offer practical help when you can.
- Parents of a sick child need to look after themselves. If you visit them in hospital, make it clear that they do not have to entertain you. Encourage them to take a break.