By Jennifer Chung, Kinsights.com
Being engaged and informed in your child’s health is one of the most important roles that a parent can fill, but dealing with a health issue can be anxiety-inducing for most parents. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate health concerns for your child:
Be informed: If you have been referred to a specialist, make a list of questions prior to the visit. Keep a journal with dates and notes of each episode that your child has had and any medications the child has taken. For instance, if your child is seeing an allergist, bring a list of all known allergies, foods that triggered a reaction, severity and type of reaction, time to reaction, and any medications taken.
Find Support: Join a support group with parents who have children coping with similar health issues. You can connect with parents in a local support group or online – and these connections can help you with everything from finding the right doctor to dealing with the emotional stress of a new diagnosis. Kinsights.com hosts online support communities to connect parents who are dealing with similar conditions and concerns. The site is also a secure resource to store your child’s medical history so you can keep track of your child’s health.
Ask Questions: Knowledge is power. Spend time doing research and get familiar with the medical terminology associated with your child’s condition. You’ll be a more informed parent, and you’ll be empowered to ask better questions during your child’s appointments.
Be Proactive: Keep a copy of your child’s medical records with you when seeing a new specialist. Keep accurate records of dates and treatments for each doctor you’ve seen so that you aren’t piecing together your child’s medical history each time you see a new physician.
Whether you are managing an ongoing health issue or are in the process of finding a diagnosis, connecting with parents who have been in your shoes before can provide a crucial support network. And access to health information is better than ever before – just make sure you’re looking at reliable sources for research, medical information, and insights on your child’s condition.
About Jennifer Chung & Kinsights:
Jennifer Chung is a parenting expert and co-founder of Kinsights.com: part parenting community, part online health record. Kinsights provides parents with a safe place to seek answers to their questions while also helping them track their child’s health information. Organize your child’s growth and developmental milestones, immunizations, medications, allergies, and more. Connect with Kinsights at https://kinsights.com to learn more and sign-up! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@kinsights).
