Timmy and his friends chatting
Planning a Visit

Spending time with your loved ones

When one of your loved ones is sick or caring for a sick child you want to go and visit them and support them. Unfortunately, some well meaning visitors can cause unexpected stress on a family that has too much on their plate already. While it is not usually the visitors fault, but instead a matter of circumstance, here are some helpful tricks to make sure your next visit with a family is a good one

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR VISITORS

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR WELL WISHING VISITORS

Give a Head's Up!: When families must juggle appointments and unexpected hospital trips it can be hard to know when they are home. Always remember to call or text them before stopping by, even if it has been prearranged.

Talking Point: "Hey, is it still a good time for me to come and visit tonight? If not, no worries!"

Talking Point: "Hey, is it still a good time for me to come and visit tonight? If not, no worries!"

Keep Things Light: Be sure to talk about things other than the child’s illness or injury. It is good to acknowledge it but it is on their minds all day – give them a refreshing break from it by talking about other things. ​​

Talking Point: "I'm glad to see you. I have a story that I know you're gonna love!"

Talking Point: "I'm glad to see you. I have a story that I know you're gonna love!"

Bring Things To Do: Dealing with an illness or injury can be mentally and physically draining for the whole family. Bringing something to do and just sitting with them for a while without engaging can be a refreshing visit amid all the chaos. Read the child a book, watch tv, or just do your own separate activities in each-others company.

Talking Point: "Hey, do you want to play cards or would you rather just watch a show?"

Talking Point: "Hey, do you want to play cards or would you rather just watch a show?"

Appropriate Gifts: If you want to bring a child a gift, make sure to check with the parents to make sure it is appropriate for the child. Some illnesses can make a child less able to play with certain things, and some hospitals have restrictions on the types of things allowed with patients. Also keep in mind any siblings when you come bearing gifts- with their brother/sister being sick they might be feeling left out of all the attention.

Talking Point: "Look what I brought for you! I brought one for your brother too."

Talking Point: "Look what I brought for you! I brought one for your brother too."

Know when to Leave: Visits can be exhausting for a sick child or a caregiver. They might think they need to put on a smile for guests and can quickly run out of energy. Make sure you consider if the people you are visiting would rather you stay and keep them company or if they prefer a short visit. And know that this can change- even if they normally prefer long chats and hours long visits there may be some days when they would prefer only being briefly checked in on.

Talking Point: "It's getting late, I'll head out now."

Talking Point: "It's getting late, I'll head out now."

DO NOT COME SICK!: If the child you are visiting has a compromised immune system or you are visiting a child staying in the hospital DO NOT visit if you are SICK. Visits are wonderful, but they shouldn’t put anyone in unnecessary risk. If you are feeling even slightly under the weather opt for a phone call and try again the following week.​​

Talking Point: "I can't come visit cause I still have a lingering cough. I'll come when I'm 100% ok."

Talking Point: "I can't come visit cause I still have a lingering cough. I'll come when I'm 100% ok."

Give Them Space: Caregivers and families that are taking care of a child with an illness or an injury can be very overwhelmed, especially right after a diagnosis or new development in their child’s condition. Well-meaning friends and relatives need to be very mindful that they are not adding unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation. If they mention that now is not a good time for a visit, don’t press the matter or feel bad that the family needs some time alone.

Talking Point: "Absolutely, I completely understand you need space."

Talking Point: "Absolutely, I completely understand you need space."

HEARTS