Taking Care of Yourself
Having a child in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a stressful time for parents and other family members. You are worried about your child and may find it difficult to leave, even for short periods of time. It is important, however, to take care of yourself so you can continue to support your child. She or he will need you to be rested and strong when you are transferred out of the intensive care area.
Here are some things you may want to do to take care of yourself:
- Take turns staying in the room
- When your child is sleeping, take breaks to rest, sleep, take a shower, do laundry or spend time with family or friends in the waiting room
- Go off the floor for a meal
- Take a walk around the hospital grounds
- Spend time with other children at home or at the Ronald McDonald House
