Confinement or bedrest can frustrate children.
Any child confined to bed is major parental challenge, and it is no different for a parent whose child also has a physical disability. Throw out every rule parenting experts have for kids' rooms, says Kathy Keller, whose son Garrett has hypoplastic left heart syndrome and is a childhood stroke survivor. Your goal, in addition to meeting any medical needs, is to keep your child distracted from any pain or discomfort and free from the frustration of confinement.
Instructions
1. Move your child to a room closest to the family's living space. A room close to where the action is will help prevent feelings of isolation. Some families set up a bed right in the family room. If you choose this option, hang curtains for privacy that can be tied back when not needed. Create a room divider by surrounding the bed on one or more sides with inexpensive tall book shelves. The shelves will come in handy as well.
2. Rearrange the pillows under your child often.
Provide a number of pillows in different sizes for comfort when watching television or reading. Frequently rearrange the pillows underneath your child to help prevent the typical aches and pains that come from lying in one position for too long.
3. Technology serves as a good distraction.
Set up a television, video game player, laptop, DVD player and whatever you else can afford to provide diversion.
4. Program the numbers of friends and relatives for daily conversations.
Install a phone line within the child's reach or add an extra line to your cell phone contract.
5. Walkie talkies help your child communicate when you're not in the room.
Install an intercom. If this isn't feasible, look into basic two-way radios (walkie-talkies).
6. Hydration is important.
Set up a small refrigerator within your child's reach. If this isn't within your budget, or if your child has very limited mobility, use a small cooler. Have several gel packs frozen to rotate in as others lose their chill.
7. Even goldfish can help the hours move more quickly.
Keep pets nearby for companionship. Relocate a dog or cat's food and water bowls to your child's room to draw your pet to your child's side more frequently.
8. Pack your DVDs and CDs into CD wallets rather than worrying about returning each to their box. A CD wallet protects the discs well and keeps them organized but also close at hand.
9. A clipboard can be useful when the creative urge pops up.
Keep crayons, markers, pens, pencils and drawing and writing paper close by.
10. Imaginative play soothes a child.
Provide playing cards, board games and small toys. Technology doesn't always cut it, and your child will be craving interaction. Make time to play.
11. Check out your local library.
Tell your child to make a list of books she would like to read or subjects she would like to read about. Then buy or borrow books so that she has reading material that suits her interest.
12. Hang a bulletin board close to your child's bed to display greeting cards and other mementos sent from friends and relatives.
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