As a parent of a child with a chronic, life-threatening condition, I know how hard it can be when she fights her treatments or medication. It is frustrating, because you know she needs it. It is heart breaking because you hate that she needs it. In addition, you feel torn between forcing her and just giving in this one time. But it is never just one time.
Children with chronic conditions go through a lot of stress and grown-up issues, more than most people can imagine. And they deal with this illness every single day of their lives. Treatments often interfere with playtime and medications may make them feel embarrassed when taken in front of their peers. No child wants to be labeled different. Eventually, the child will rebel in some way, whether just for an afternoon, or for years.
When young children rebel it is often easy to overcome through distraction. When my daughter went through a phase of not wanting to take her medication, all it took was to sprinkle it in her applesauce and she spooned them in herself. Otherwise, asking her to say “aaahhh” in a silly way got her mouth open long enough for me to get the pills in. As for her chest therapy, pinning her down was never an option for us. We didn’t want her to associate the therapy with the feeling of being trapped or forced. We started letting her choose which video she wanted to watch during her treatments and she has been much happier ever since.
Older kids will probably fight treatments harder, especially when it comes to doing them in front of their peers. Being ready to deal with this means preparing yourself and teaching them from a young age. Always be open and honest with your child and with others. This teaches your child that there isn’t anything to be ashamed of. Talk to them about how other people are different too. Educate them as to why certain treatments and medications are important and not optional.
Keep a schedule posted for your child of what time treatments are to be done. Have them participate in making the chart and let them check off when the treatment is completed. Put the power and control in your child’s hand from an early age. In a child’s mind there is a big difference between, “You have to take your medicine” and “It’s time to take your medicine.”
When it comes to medications, ask your child if they want it before or after something, for example getting dressed or eating breakfast. Giving a simple choice will let your child feel that it is his decision to take the medication.
If your child is usually good about treatments and medications, but suddenly has a meltdown about them, ask questions. Talk to your child about what is bothering them. Ask them why it didn’t bother them yesterday, but it does today. It could be that a classmate made a comment that hurt your child or that your child is just feeling angry at his condition and needs to get those emotions out.
Try giving your teenager some space. Let him know that you care and you want him to do his treatments but that he has to want to do them too. Remind him of the importance without being preachy or pushy. Let him reach out to others with the same health condition that are his age or slightly older.
When all else fails, your child may be facing a seriously difficult time in dealing with his condition and may need to talk to a professional. A third party who your child has no emotional attachment to can help him see things in a different light.