August 8th, 2007 by admin
Children & Cats
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Cats can be a wonderful addition to households with children. I have seen cats become the most loved and cherished friend of many children. If you have children and are trying to decide whether or not to add a cat to your family, or if you already have a cat and are bringing a new child into the a family, then this article may be of help. There are several important considerations concerning choosing the right cat at the right time. The article will also explore why cats are sometimes better pets than dogs for small children as well as health concerns for children and cats living in the same household. Read the rest of this entry »
July 17th, 2007 by admin
I Wanna Go Home!
When Your Child is in the Hospital
By Laura Nathanson, M.D., FAAP,
Author of What You Don’t Know Can Kill You
When a child is admitted to the hospital, pediatricians have the same concerns that families have: make sure the child stays safe, comfortable, and as emotionally secure as possible.
In my childcare book The Portable Pediatrician, I talk about the emotional meaning of hospitalization for children of each age group from Birth to Five. (It’s in the “What If” section of each age-based chapter, along with such challenges as parental divorce, death of a pet, arrival of a new sibling, and so on.) While I still stand by that advice, there have been three big changes since then when it comes to keeping children as safe and as comfortable as possible: Read the rest of this entry »
June 30th, 2007 by admin
Younger Children’s Reaction to Death
by Charlotte M. Mathes, LCSW, Ph.D.
Author of And a Sword Shall Pierce Your Heart
Because children grieve differently from adults, they may appear not to be mourning at all. One adult client confessed her long held guilt that as a child, the day her sister died, she went to a neighbor’s to play. This woman has been mourning her sister’s death for thirty years. With help, she recalled how bad she felt about her sister’s death, even though she chose to play. Children often resume play even while hurting inside. They need more physical activity to release their strong emotions. Having a shorter attention span, they also require frequent respite from their grief and will often alternate short periods of mourning with pursuing other interests.
Children’s reactions to death are also influenced by their concept of its finality, an understanding that progresses as they pass through successive developmental stages. In the early years, supposing death reversible, children believe a brother or sister will return and are not likely to be devastated. They attribute the imagined return of life to the good effects of ambulances, hospitals, or doctors who will magically revive the deceased. Read the rest of this entry »
