Explaining the NICU experience to friends and family

Watch Amanda Knickerbocker's video on Explaining the NICU experience to friends and family...
Explaining the NICU experience to friends and family | Kids in the House
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Explaining the NICU experience to friends and family

Comment
50
Like
50
Transcription: 
It's often difficult when you have a child in the NICU to know what to say to friends and family. People don't really understand what you're going through or the stress that you're feeling. And so first thing's first: understand that they don't understand and friends and family are going to say silly and sometimes stupid things about your child, but understanding also that most friends and family are genuine in their concern and that they're trying and that the things that they say probably shouldn't be taken to heart. But you should also be frank with friends and family. You should explain to them what is going on with your child and you should tell them what your needs are. Everybody is different – if you want to talk about your child say, "I would like to talk about my child." If you want a place where you're free from worrying about what's going on with your child say, "I just can't talk about that right now." But being clear in your needs is the most important thing that you can do to help your friends and family best support you.

Watch Amanda Knickerbocker's video on Explaining the NICU experience to friends and family...

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Amanda Knickerbocker

Blogger & Mom

Amanda Knickerbocker is the wife of a pediatrician, and the mother of two children aged three and twenty months. When her daughter was born at 1.2 Pounds, 11 inches, spending 200 days in the NICU, Amanda began blogging about her family’s experience. She continues to offer support and community to parents of preemies at Understanding Prematurity. 

More Parenting Videos from Amanda Knickerbocker >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter