Helping your child cope after an injury
Key points below
How injuries change a child
Children have many different responses after an injury. You may notice changes in your child. These changes are normal and are often temporary. You can help your child work through the changes.What are common responses?
After an injury, your child may:• Cling to you.
• Worry more fear being away from you.
• Have problems falling or staying asleep.
• Have nightmares.
• Act younger than their age.
• Complain of stomach aches or headaches.
• Avoid places or things that remind them of the injury.
• Have flashbacks of what happened.
• Feel guilty or blame someone else.
• Eat too much or too little.
• Be anxious or very shy.
• Show little interest in favorite activities.
• Have trouble concentrating in school.
• Avoid being in big groups.
What are some things that may help?
1. Help your child feel safe• Talk openly about fears.
• Say calming and encouraging things.
• Put a night light in the bedroom.
• Have comfort items such as a favorite blanket or stuffed animal for younger children.
• Have people your child knows and trusts care for them.
2. Help your child work through what has happened
• When they bring it up, talk to your child about what happened. Talk about how they remember what happened.
• Be honest. Use words your child can understand.
• Have your child draw pictures or use toys to express how they feel.
3. Help your child return to normal activities
• Have regular meal and sleep times.
• Slowly add more choices. Have your child help plan meals, dress, activities, etc.
• Be supportive and patient.
• Teach your child how to be safe in the future.