Hi from Dale

[Guest guest]

from Dale,

Because so many new people are starting IVIG and especially for

starting multiple kids all at once -- I wanted to throw out some ideas

about the actual " stick " .

At the first ever National IDF conference, I attended a parenting

seminar and was amazed at what the child life specialists were telling

us. But I very much agreed with their message and still do after many

years of hearing the war stories. They said something like this:

There are parents who hold their kid down for the stick -- they may cry

but they'll do it because they want it to be fast and as easy as

possible. Their kids know that they love them because they are willing

to tackle them if necessary to give them the help they need.

There are parents who say, " I'll hold your hand and we'll cry together

for the stick " but if you kick and scream it's going to make it harder.

They allow the nurses or doctors to do any holding because they just

want to be there for their child emotionally. Their kids know that they

love them because they are willing to sit there and totally support them

to give them the help that they need.

There are parents who say, " I'll sit here in the waiting room until the

stick is over because Mommy can't stand to see you get stuck. " They

allow their little one to walk off with the nurse, do the procedure and

then return to them. They are profuse in their praise and hugs upon

return. Their kids know that they love them because they are always

waiting for them when the bad stuff is over.

The Child Life specialists from s Hopkins says that any of the above

is okay -- none is better than the other. Each teaches the child a

different message, but each parent must do what they can do best. I've

heard from parents in each category -- and they all sound like great

parents to me and all 3 types have raised healthy, independent,

successful kiddos.

In His service,

Dale