Your relationship with your child’s doctors and therapists might be some of the most important relationships you form beyond your family and friends. Ideally, you will share your feelings, hopes, and challenges with this team. Having these close relationships is essential for your medical team to work for you and your child.
But, like any good relationships, these will require work. There are times when the relationships might push you outside your comfort zone. Maybe you will have to ask your doctor for more time, to explain something until it makes sense to you, or give you clear information on testing.
Remember, the work you’re doing is all centered on your child, who plays a very active part in this process. Be aware of how your child responds to visits with doctors and therapists. The doctor’s office might be a safe place to teach your child to manage anxieties that come up in the outside world. It can also be a great chance for your child to learn the important skill of asking and answering questions for themselves.
By building good relationships with your child’s doctors, you are taking a very important step in supporting your child’s long-term care.
