Allow time to adjust to your child's heart condition

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Allow time to adjust to your child's heart condition

Dealing with a lifelong and possibly life-threatening illness in your child can have a strong impact on your life as a parent. Allow yourself to grieve about having a child with a heart defect.

Learn all you can about your child's heart defect.
Don't blame yourself. You did not cause the heart defect. Many things occurred for the defect to happen. No single factor causes congenital heart defects.
Don't expect to remember everything that is involved in caring for your child. Ask questions when you don't understand. Ask your doctor for written directions on caring for your child. If directions are written, you can look at them later and call the doctor if you have questions.
Talk with your health professional to see whether there is a local support group you might join. A support group is a good place to meet other parents who are dealing with similar issues.

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Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Larry A. Latson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology
Last Updated	October 25, 2007

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Last updated:	October 25, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Larry A. Latson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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