For Patients and Families

However, whether a hospital stay is long or short, children have always needed some time to adjust to returning home after an illness, procedure or operation. While your child may return to daily routines easily, it is very normal for him or her to need some time to adjust to being home. Your child may need to work through feelings about the hospital experience. This page gives you ideas on how to help your child adjust.

• Spend additional time with your child and give them extra affection and attention during the first week at home.

• Follow your usual household rules (for example, rules about bedtime, playtime, clean-up and meals).

• Return to your usual family routines as soon as possible (for example, at mealtimes and bedtime).

• have frequent tests, procedures and hospital stays
• have experienced recent changes in family life, such as the birth of a sibling, a move or a divorce before, during or after the hospital stay
• have emotional challenges or are part of a family with social and/or emotional difficulties

• a change in sleeping or eating patterns
• more fears than usual (for example, nightmares or fear of being left alone by a parent)
• increasing irritability (for example, frustration over simple tasks)
• whining
• clinging to a parent
• regression (for example, thumb sucking or loss of toilet training skills)
• difficulty sharing attention from parents with brothers and sisters
• aggression (for example, fighting or arguing with brothers and sisters)
• resisting household rules

• Talk in simple language with your child about the hospital stay, procedure or test.
• "Play doctor" or "hospital" with your child. Through play, your child may bring up feelings about his or her hospital experience.
• Invite your child to draw pictures and ask him or her to tell you about them.
• Talk with your child about his or her dreams or nightmares and offer reassurance and positive information about the hospital.
• Read books together about going to the doctor or the hospital if your child seems interested. For a list of books, see Books to Prepare.

The Medical Coping Team evaluates, treats and supports children and families facing hospitalization and other health care concerns. You can make an appointment by calling 617-355-6688. At the clinic, you will meet with a psychologist or psychiatrist to talk over your concerns, ask questions and learn more about how to help your child.