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Reducing Parental
Stress
By Mary Allen, Quebec Regional Coordinator
From AAIA News - October 2001
Anxiety is expected when any child goes to school, especially for
the first time. New teachers, new schools, new friends, new rules…these
changes bring anxiety as well as excitement for both the parents
and the child.
When a child also has to cope with asthma or food allergies, there
is more to think about and more to worry about. Parents sometimes
feel overwhelmed. They know that it is not easy for them to deal
with asthma and food allergies at home and it can be daunting to
turn this responsibility over to the school.
Children may also be stressed, although not necessarily for the
same reasons as parents. They may be less worried about their allergies
or asthma than about being able to find the bathroom or whether
the teacher will like them! Talking to children about their concerns
often reassures them.
Keeping in mind that some degree of parental anxiety is normal,
what can be done to keep it from ruining the start of the school
year for you and your child? First of all, try to separate your
own feelings of anxiety from the concrete task of preparing your
child to cope with his allergy or asthma at school. Learn to recognize
escalating anxiety and try to pinpoint the underlying reasons. Perhaps
you are feeling that others do not understand the seriousness of
the allergy. Perhaps you are overwhelmed by preparations for school
and simply don't know what to do next. You are probably not sure
if your child is "ready" to cope on his/her own. On top
of all of these worries, there may be an underlying sense that you
are losing control over your child's environment. These anxieties
are common in parents of allergic children. The trick is to recognize
that you are anxious, minimize risks as much as possible, and try
not to let your anxiety affect your child.
Sometimes simply talking to a friend or spouse can help. It is
especially helpful if you can talk to other parents of allergic
children who have successfully dealt with these issues. Try to focus
on positive aspects of the start of school and plan some relaxing
activities, for the family or for yourself so that you can focus
on something that you enjoy.
Try not to obsess about relatively unlikely risks or "worst
case" scenarios, because this can be really upsetting and is
not helpful. Deal with the major risks, take comfort in the fact
that you carry medication, and then deal with the highly unlikely
minor risks.
Good advance preparation helps to help you ensure that the school
environment is a safe one. Start early.
As much as possible try not to let your anxiety be passed on to
your child. Prepare your child to be responsible in a positive manner
and give some thought to your child's social needs. As we've said
before, a child tends to adopt the coping style of the parent and
a positive, optimistic, prepared child is not only happier but also
safer.
In the long run, the goal should be to prepare your child to be
as secure as possible in all situations, at school and elsewhere,
whether allergens are present or not. Education and preparation
of your own child is crucial, more important than any school "rules",
so put most of your energy there.
Stay in touch with teachers and administrators and volunteer in
the school if you can. Offer to help set up an "allergy committee"
at school with the goal of minimizing risks and enhancing the school
experience for all children. Try to "enforce" your school's
allergy policy in a positive manner, exploring alternatives and
thanking others for their help in reducing risks.
Legalities, etc.
- Ask for a copy of your school board's written policies with
respect to allergies and medical emergencies. If adequate policies
have not been developed, volunteer to get a committee together
to work on this and, in the meantime, put in writing all the arrangements
that need to be in place for your child.
- Meet with the administration, teacher and school nurse but
follow up with a letter noting agreed-upon arrangements.
- Be polite, firm and supportive of the school's efforts to help
you and your child. Keep lines of communication open.
- Never sign a waiver absolving the school of responsibility should
the epinephrine auto-injector not be used.
- Give written authorization to the institution to use the auto-injector
in case of emergency.
- Be prepared to offer proof of diagnosis, usually a doctor's
letter or prescription for the auto-injector.
- Make sure that the child's name and allergies, as well as a
photograph, are in a location where all teachers and staff, including
lunchroom supervisors and substitute teachers, will see it. Be
sure that the location of the medications is clearly indicated.
Allergy/Asthma Information
Association,
Box 100, Toronto, Ontario M9W 5K9
Phone (416) 679-9521 or 1-800-611-7011 Fax: (416) 679-9524
Web site: http://www.aaia.ca
E-mail: national@aaia.ca
Terms
of Use: The information
on this site does not constitute medical advice and is for your
general information only. We cannot be held responsible for anything
you could possibly do or say because of information on this site.
Consult your family physician or allergist for specific questions
or concerns.
This article courtesy of the Allergy/Asthma
Information Association at www.aaia.ca and the Calgary Allergy Network
web site at www.calgaryallergy.ca. May be reproduced for educational,
non-profit purposes with proper attribution.
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