Child: Recovery from Hospitalization

Recovering emotionally from the hospital stay means that your child will need to relive what has happened to him. For older children, reliving is done by talking about the hospital. Younger children want to play out their experiences using various toys and medical play kits. You may help your child by talking and playing with him.

The following chart outlines some additional phases your child may experience:

Discharge From Hospital

Child's Interaction  Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Self

Quiet play at home

Phone calls from friends

Non-strenuous play outside

Seeking out friends for play

Regular play and activities

Not relying on siblings for help with household chores
Parents

Clinging to parents/familiar surroundings 

Disrupted sleeping and eating schedules

Temporarily loss of independent behavior/skills

Needing to be periodically "touch base" with parents

Expecting continuation of extra privileges/gifts

Normal interactions with parents

Return to normal "rules" and independent behavior/skills
Friends/Relatives

Visits/special presents from special relatives

Phone calls from other relatives

Short visits of friends at child's home

Easy trips to realative's home

Resume regular visits

Staying away from home overnight
Jobs/Community

Some School work at home

No school attendance

Tutor

Part-time attendance

Tutor

Full-time attendance