One of the most heartbreaking things that a parent has to deal with is watching their children suffer from injury. No one ever wants to see their child in pain, regardless of if they’re 5 or 25, but it’s something that you need to cope with after an accident. Your duty as a parent who’s helping their child overcome an auto accident injury is to stay strong. Here are 3 strategies that will help.
Listen To What Your Child Has To Say Or What They Don’t Say
Trauma doesn’t only happen to the physical body. An auto accident can be a traumatic event for children and it’s crucial that you pay attention to what your child has to say when they are ready to talk. You know to seek treatment for broken bones, lacerations, and contusions, but you shouldn’t forget how important it can be just to lend an ear.
Understanding the effects of trauma on an adolescent can be difficult because adults and children think differently. Always listen no matter how small you feel like the conversation is. Don’t force them to discuss the accident or things that frighten them but if they are ready to speak about their feelings stay calm and matter-of-fact. It helps your child if you answer their questions honestly.
Help Your Child Get Back To Their Normal Routine
There’s nothing easy about dealing with a distressed child. While it might not be possible right away, the key is to make an attempt to get back to usual routines as soon as possible. If you’re too over-protective after the accident or you start giving your child a lot of special treatment, it will send the wrong message. You want to make your child feel safe and hold them accountable for following rules just as they would before the event. Getting back to routines will help them return to a sense of normalcy.
Get Professional And Legal Help
If your child is experiencing emotional changes and physical changes in response to the accident, you may need to turn to professional trauma therapists to speak with them. The cost of treatment and therapy isn’t cheap. If the driver responsible for the accident isn’t stepping up to pay for the expenses, you may need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney, like the professionals at Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC, to help you get the compensation that you need to cover the bills that are piling up.
Author Bio: Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer living in Boston, MA. When not writing, she enjoys reading and indoor rock climbing. Find her on Google +
