This is a special repost of one of our most heartfelt and insightful episodes. Whether this is your first time hearing Jessica’s story or a revisit, her perspective as a mom of a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome will stick with you. What happens when a diagnosis...
Episode 175 | Child Life in the Emergency Room (ER)
Podcast Show Notes
Going to the emergency room with your child for any reason is never an occasion you plan on. Today, Sam Kraewic and Jessica Baird, Child Life Specialists working in the Emergency Room empower and equip us on how to be the best advocates when it comes to the Emergency Room. From medical play to normalizing the hospital at home there are many ways parents can plan for the unexpected. Katie, Jessica, and Sam have a great conversation surrounding Child Life in the Emergency Room.
[3:30] Introductions
[3:46] Meet, Jessica
[4:40] Meet, Sam
[6:25] Swabs in the emergency room
[8:15] Medical play for swabs
[10:00] Letting parents know they have a voice
[12:00] Comfort items in the waiting room
[13:34] Triage can be stressful
[14:50] Talking to your child about what you might see
[15:19] Don’t make promises they can’t keep
[18:17] Familiarizing home and hospital
[20:20] Children feed off our emotions
[22:22] Stepping away is ok
[23:10] Mental Health in the Emergency Room
[25:50] Therapeutic games addressing emotions
[27:00] First trusted contact
Connect with Jessica and Sam
Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.
Parents, download our free parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
- Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
- Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
- Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.
Shop for your CLOC gear here.
You Might Also Like…
252: Two Daughters wtih Cystic Fibrosis- Laura’s Story
What would you do if both of your children were diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disease—and there was no support system in place for parents like you? In this inspiring episode, Katie interviews Laura Bonnell, a former Detroit news reporter turned...
251:A Nurse Practitioner’s Story of Grief, Strength & Advocacy [REPOST] – Ashley’s Story
📢 This is a special repost of one of our most impactful and heartfelt episodes. Whether you’re hearing Ashley O’Neill’s story for the first time or revisiting it, her journey continues to resonate deeply with NICU families, pediatric providers, and anyone who has...