Guest article provided by bowlingtherapy.com

 

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As children grow and develop, they are more likely to come in contact with new medical professionals.  Attending visits for siblings, themselves, parents, and often grandparents.  With a curious mind and developmental changes in emotional regulation, children may have questions or concerns regarding these meetings.  In this article we will discuss how to help your child feel comfortable when meeting new medical professionals. 

What To Expect 

Just like adults, children often thrive with knowing details.  When we know our role and what we can expect, we are more likely to feel comfortable and feel less anxious. How much we share before an appointment will differ for what we know as the adult and the age of the child.  However, the best rule of thumb is to stick to absolute truths and focus on what is within our control.  For example, highlighting if the child can eat before the appointment, that the doctor wants to help your child be healthy, and focusing on what they could take into the appointment with them. 

Bringing Comfort Items

In a place of unfamiliarity, having a comfort item or two may help children feel more at ease.  Whether it’s their favorite stuffy, a book,a blanket, or a small toy, their own item will help them feel more relaxed.  For toddlers and younger children, keeping busy can also provide aid for busy bodies who feel the need to move around. For older kids, their ability to bring music, a book, or something to keep their hands busy may be tremendously helpful.  Similarly, if your child can wear comfortable clothes or have a favorite clothing item on it may help them feel their best.  

Find Comfort Within

I often hear from clients that the waiting room can be the hardest part.  Using the comfort items above can be useful to pass the time away and ease our bigger feelings.  When our hands are busy, we are less likely to be in our head thinking about how much time has passed, who we are going to meet, and all the many “what if’s” that can fill our minds.  Taking deep breaths, using progressive muscle relaxation, and using grounding exercises are three quick mood regulators that can be utilized in any waiting room.  It’s not about perfection but the art of practicing how to relax the body and mind.  While your preteen or older teen may not ask you to join in, they may appreciate you utilizing this tool with them. 

Daily exercise and movement can help children emotionally regulate their bodies.  If your child is more likely to have big energy, try finding a park or local option to encourage movement before the doctor’s appointment.  Exuding extra energy before the meeting can help ease children into better communication and mood during time with the doctor. 

 

 

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Play It Out

Hands on learning and visual demonstrations are two of the best ways to teach youth.  Similarly, children thrive when they can role play scenarios that they could be learning or practicing.  We emphasize this tool when teaching kids how to act in social situations.  School is full of opportunities to see something and have children practice it on repeat.  When a new medical appointment is added to the family calendar, it can be helpful to practice the doctors office through use of play.  Model some of the language and practices that may be used in the doctors office.  If you have the real or toy version of medical devices in house it can be helpful to use them during play.  When you can, allow time to let younger kids explore medical devices.  Encourage them to play doctor and you could be the patient.

Adjacent to hands on play, there are many age appropriate video options available online to watch as a guide.  With so many options available, there are choices to be more specific; whether it’s looking up a general first visit to the dentist or specifically what to expect during a deep cleaning. If we know what may be similar or different in the pending doctors appointment, we can have follow up conversations with our children that mimic what is viewed in the videos.  Focus the attention on what we know will happen and focus on age appropriate information. 

A positive relationship between patient and doctor can make a huge difference in health

Let The Office Be Your Guide

While this office could be a new place for your family, the professional(s) there are highly accustomed to their specialty.  You are the keeper of your child’s needs and history so share with staff any concerns or questions that you or your child may have.  If possible, you can ask about filling out office documentation before the first visit to focus on your child in the office.  You can also notate on the office documents and to any office professional any concerns or anxieties that may be present. 

 

​Medical professionals are often more likely to have a mindful bedside manner with working with kids.  Meaning that they are more likely to meet their adolescent patients at their level and try to help ease them into the office.  Oftentimes, pediatric offices may have more kid friendly options in the waiting room, smaller pediatric medical devices, and access to tools such as stickers and small prizes to ease their smaller patients. 

Meet Them Where They Are

Kids are steady observers and can mimic what they see.  If they look at you in the waiting room and you’re biting your nails and sweating bullets they are more likely to join you.  Similarly, if you look at them in the waiting room and you see they have relaxed shoulders and steady slow breaths then we can follow them.  Depending on factors like history of anxiety, family medical concerns, etc. adults may actually be more nervous about doctors appointments than the child is.  We can set them up for success and check in with them but their body language and needs for a day off will ultimately be the guide.  Support them, encourage them, and help your child grow their confidence to lead the way as they get older.

 

​Stay well,

 

Author

Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Yorba Linda, CA. She has been in the mental health field for more than ten years and is passionate to share mental health wellness strategies focusing on anxiety, health, and children. For more information please visit www.bowlingtherapy.com

 

When you learn you’re pregnant, there are a lot of things to consider. These links offer supportive advice on the topics many young moms will find themselves wondering how to approach.

Sharing your news

How to Discuss an Unplanned Pregnancy

Telling Parents You’re Pregnant

I’m Pregnant: How Do I Tell My Boyfriend?

Childcare

Child Care Aware: State by State Resources for Families

Head Start Center Locator

According to its website, “The Office of Head Start (OHS) helps young children from low-income families prepare to succeed in school through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote children’s development through services that support early learning, health, and family well-being.”

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Agency Locator

Some states offer child care programs at little or no cost to low-income families. This website will put you in contact with your local agency that will inform you of eligibility requirements.

Self-care

Free/Low-Cost/Sliding Scale Medical Clinics Locator

OpenCounseling’s Affordable Counseling Locator

Covenant House: A Helping Hand for Teenage Mothers

What Teen Moms Want You to Know

Your pregnancy and post-pregnancy health and your baby’s development

Pregnancy Calendar: A Week-by-Week Guide

The First 9 Months

Pregnant? Diet Changes to Make Right Now

Pregnancy Meal Planners: Trimester by Trimester

Recovering from Birth

Financial support

Directory of Local Health Departments

Your local health department will know what programs are available in your state that can provide you assistance before and after the birth of your baby.

 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Medicaid may also be able to help with medical costs before and after the birth of your baby.

 Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

WIC offers nutritional support programs to low-income mothers-to-be, moms and their families.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP also offers nutritional support to low-income mothers-to-be, moms and their families.

Child Support Guideline Models by State

This page on the National Conference of State Legislatures’ website provides information on what kind of child support you and your baby are eligible for based on the state you live in. There is also a list of links at the bottom of the page to detailed state specific guidelines.

Support groups

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)

Meetup Groups: Young Moms

Circle of Moms: Teen Moms Community

MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms Support)

La Leche League International (LLLI) –This is an international support group for breastfeeding mothers.

I think part of the reason young moms have such a difficult time coping with the changes parenthood presents is because there are a lot of myths about their experiences that simply aren’t true. Here are some common misconceptions about young parenthood as well as the uplifting, enlightening truths that debunk them.

Myth: You can’t complete your education.

Truth: While it may make sense to complete your high school and college education on a different timeline than you would have without a baby, you absolutely can — and should — get your degree(s).

The reason this is such a rampant stereotype is because many teen mothers drop out of high school in order to care for their baby. And as their child grows, it often feels harder and harder to go back to school or even get a GED.

The wonderful truth of the matter is that it’s never too late to get your high school diploma, and you can even earn it at home and at your own pace. That means you can study just as easily during the day when your baby is napping as you can after a late-night feeding that’s left you wide awake. Many GED programs even allow you to attend a graduation ceremony, which is a wonderful way to toast your hard-earned milestone.

If you think you don’t have time to get a college education, think again, even if you opt not to attend classes at school. Thanks to the internet, college has become more accessible than ever, and should you want an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree (or beyond), you can earn one from a local or national university in the comforts of home. You can even take a mix of on-site classes and online classes, which is a wonderful option for those who can’t make it to more than a few lectures a week but still want a more traditional college experience.

These days, more and more people are earning their high school and college diplomas later in life for a variety of reasons, so take heart in knowing that you’ll be in good company when seeking your education. It may be hard work, and it may not happen the way you’d planned it to, but in doing so, you’re actively working toward a brighter future for both you and your child.

Myth: You’ll only be eligible for dead-end jobs.

Truth: Any woman who becomes a mother at a young age has the opportunity to have a long, successful career in whichever field she’s passionate about.

Earning a high school diploma is a great way to expand your horizons, and there are obviously certain career paths that require you to have some sort of college degree, such as medical or law practice. That’s why if you want a career that requires advanced education, you owe it to yourself to get it.

But no matter your level of education, your dream job doesn’t have to be out of reach. Experience counts for a lot, so finding a way to be involved in the workforce in your desired field can help you work your way up to a higher position. Many managers who run retail stores began their careers by working in the stockroom or on the sales floor, and many of the world’s best chefs learned their skills by working as line cooks when they started out. No matter what your dreams are, they can happen for you.

Many young moms also create their own successful businesses with the help of sales sites like Etsy, ArtFire and even Amazon, or provide services like babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking or personal transport whenever their schedules allow.

Myth: Money will always be a struggle.

Truth: Most people — no matter their background — go through at least one phase in life where money is tight, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent situation.

You don’t need me to tell you that if you’re able to work even part-time, your financial burden will lift. I know — it’s easier said than done! But what you may need to hear from someone who had a baby when she was still a child herself is that with time and planning, your situation can get better. Additionally, there are a lot of programs that provide assistance to young mothers to help them make ends meet when times are tough (check out our Practical Tips for Young Moms page for a list).

Myth: You’ll have to give up your social life.

Truth: Like many aspects of your life, your social relationships may change once your baby comes, but you won’t be isolated.

Friends come and go no matter what your path in life is, and it’s true that friends not willing to stick out times of transition and difficulty with you aren’t worth having. Young moms are constantly surprised by the love and support they and their babies receive from friends, so don’t think that your pregnancy and the birth of your baby spell the end of the relationships you value most.

With that in mind, many of them will change, and that’s OK. Your coffee dates at your favorite cafe probably won’t happen as frequently anymore (or at least not without a baby in tow), but you can invite your bestie to share a cup of joe with you at home. You may not be able to grab a drink with your co-workers at the end of a long workday without notice, but you can plan a post-work get-together in advance and line up childcare. In both cases, the event itself may not look the same as it did prior to having your baby, but you can still find ways to spend time with the people you treasure.

You’ll also make a lot of new friends at this stage in life. There are all kinds of mommy-and-me classes that allow parents to socialize without having to track down a babysitter, and as your child grows, you’ll meet parents at school and extracurricular functions. And while you’ll be glad to bond with people who understand the demands of parenthood, the idea that you can’t be friends with the people you knew before baby simply isn’t true.

Myth: You’ll never go on a date again.

Truth: You can, will and should pursue a healthy, fulfilling relationship when you’re ready (and if that’s what you want) — and anyone would be lucky to have you.

This is true whether you stay in a relationship with your baby’s father or if you decide not to be romantically involved with each other. Young moms who have a partner often feel too exhausted or overwhelmed to spend quality time with their significant other. Those who are single often feel too fatigued to pursue a new relationship or don’t think anyone is willing to take on the responsibility of dating someone with a child.

There is no bond quite like that between a mother and her child. Focusing on a romantic relationship can sometimes bring feelings of guilt, whether you have a newborn and you’re trying to plan a date night with your baby’s father or have a three-year-old and are pursuing a relationship with someone new. It’s important to pick a partner who will love and accept both you and your little one. If you’ve already found him or her, don’t feel bad for wanting to nurture that relationship. If you haven’t, I promise you that you will. You are a strong, brave woman who has a lot to offer — and your baby is a bonus.

Myth: You’ll have no support.

Truth: Even if your family and friends aren’t offering their support, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to receive the emotional and financial reinforcement you need.

In addition to the many financial assistance programs available to young and/or single mothers and their children, there are support groups and even counseling programs geared toward those having difficulties coping with the new demands of parenthood.

Myth: You have to do this journey alone.

Truth: You will NEVER be alone — if nothing else, you and your child will always have each other.

There will be difficult days, of course, as there are with any adventure. But you do not have to do this alone, and there is no shame in reaching out for whatever support you need. You’ll be surprised at how willing people are to give it.

It’s also important to remember that the role of motherhood, no matter what age you experience it, is inherently one that requires one other very special little person — your baby. You two will truly grow together in ways that older parents simply aren’t able to do with their little ones, and your bond will be unlike any other you’ve ever experienced. There may be lonely days, but you and your child will never go it alone, because you will always have each other.