What If Your Child Was In The Hospital?

[nanglgrl]

I would bring a sleeping bag and sleep on the floor if I had to. I wouldn't leave my child's side. I LOVE hospitals but I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to my child when I wasn't there. It would be even worse if I left because I had to work and take care of other children. I would tell my families ASAP and try to help them find backup (if they needed me to) from the hospital room. If I couldn't help they would have to figure it out, if they had a problem with that they would be welcome to find another provider.
That's just me. I respect that some people don't feel the need to stay at the hospital and some people just can't for their own reasons. My ways not better but it's my way. I know if something happened to my child being present would be the only hope I would have to eventually move on.

[Rachel]

I would bring a sleeping bag and sleep on the floor if I had to. I wouldn't leave my child's side. I LOVE hospitals but I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to my child when I wasn't there. It would be even worse if I left because I had to work and take care of other children. I would tell my families ASAP and try to help them find backup (if they needed me to) from the hospital room. If I couldn't help they would have to figure it out, if they had a problem with that they would be welcome to find another provider.
That's just me. I respect that some people don't feel the need to stay at the hospital and some people just can't for their own reasons. My ways not better but it's my way. I know if something happened to my child being present would be the only hope I would have to eventually move on.

I agree it's so hard. I regret now in a way not staying, but I knew at the time I had 4 other kids who also were scared to death and needed me. My big kids were bounced around for 3 weeks to neighbors, friends, random teenage girls. We were very lucky that there were places for parents to sleep, and between dh and I someone was with him pretty much 24/7 for 3 weeks, except for a few days when there were times he was traveling home and I was turning around to go in. Once a child is on a ward here you actually can't leave them. There is a bed for a parent and someone must be with the child at all times. I told people I was in jail because I was confined to the same space he was (except bathroom breaks). Luckily people came to see me and I did get to see the light of day once or twice, because people came in pairs (one with baby, one to keep me company and walk). It's so hard when a little one is sick, I'm just thankful I didn't have to worry about the financial aspect of it. The new law passed maybe 6 months before he was born and not only was I on paid leave, but my leave was extended by the time he was in so I didn't lose out time with him at home.