Be An Advocate For Your Child's Medical Care

      My children have been through their share of emergency room visits...And I want you to know that if your child has an accident, you're NOT a bad parent! When my son was one and a half, he fell and fractured his neck and skull. Fifteen years later, he is absolutely fine. My second daughter experienced two broken wrists within nine months of each other due to falls while using Heelys and riding a bike. My other son had an ER visit due to being accidentally sliced on the cheek by his older brother. My older daughter had severe stomach pains and was sent home from the hospital after given pain killers. But the pain came back, and I did not take no for answer on our second visit to the ER. As it turned out, she had two cysts on her fallopian tubes (at 14-years-old) and had to have immediate surgery. And finally, my youngest fell and broke her femur at two years old. I have learned to stand up for my children and not trust that the hospital staff knows best. As moms, we know our children better than anyone. Don't be afraid to take a stand for your child!

      My friend wrote an awesome article on dealing with emergencies and keeping your children safe, so instead of regurgitating what she said, I'm just going to post the link to her article here. My youngest daughter's experience with a full-body cast is featured in this article. Also, I highly recommend Honolulu Family Magazine for awesome tips on raising children. 

Permission given by author: Cathy Cruz-George