Mommy first
Bowie, H.
Pediatric Nursing 30(3): 203-206
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0097-9805 PMID: 15311644 Document Number: 572299
Parents of children with special health care needs are often required to assume responsibility for the complex care of their children. It is important for pediatric nurses to remember these parents are, first and foremost, the child's parents and primarily responsible for loving their child, providing a safe and secure home, and fostering their child's development as a person. Pediatric nurses should support the parents in the medical/nursing care of their child in whatever way possible so the parents have more time to parent. This account from a mother of a child with developmental delay helps remind us of our need to help support parents in being "parents first."