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Perceptions - Taking Medication In Front Of Children |
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by Frontier  (November 2006) (rank 22nd) |
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We often do it without thinking. We wake up with a headache, down on energy, have a cold or are on medication prescribed by a doctor to treat a condition. Whatever the reason, we find ourselves popping the pills for one reason or another.
When you have children in the
house it is an important consideration to be aware of how they perceive your medicine taking. If they see you in a distressed state before the medicine and they watch you take the medicine and then behave in a happy way they could develop a perception that taking pills is always good for you and they may be tempted to try other pill like things to see if they feel better too.
It is important that the child understands what medicine is and why we take it and why they may have to take it also. If I have to take a tablet I usually take it out of site of my children if I can to reduce the visual impression of pill taking and when ever my wife or I take a pill in front of our children they would often ask "what is that" and "Can I have one too?" When this happens we explain what the pill is (usually for headaches) and why we are taking it and why they do not need it. We also explain that different people need different medicines that only can be given to you by a doctor or chemist.
Our children emulate what we do and how we portray ourselves. If they see us as pill popping medical junkies they may ad that to their perception of what they should be when they grow up.
Some things to think about regarding medication and children,
- explain what medicine is and why we sometimes have to take it to reduce the mystery element
- try to take it out of their sight if you can to reduce the impact and frequency
- if they see you taking pills or medicine and ask for some don't give them a substitute (lollies, smarties or milk) as this will cloud the difference between medicine and sweets or treats. Just explain why you need it and they don't and tell them they are lucky they don't.
- keep medication out of reach of children
Keeping your children informed helps them decide the best course to take when presented with new options.
