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When a sick child joins the family, it involves an intense wave of diverse emotions. Anger, fear and embitterment are intertwined with feelings of injustice and loneliness. Often this is compounded by blaming oneself for the child's illness or the critical voices that can be heard from other people. Lack of information and emotional support, as well as conflicting messages and opinions received from different specialists, can lead to feelings of confusion in the new situation and helplessness.

Sometimes it happens that parents want to help and support their child so much that, guided by good intentions, they deprive the child of the possibility of independent action. In situations in which the child could cope by himself or with a little help, the parents help the child, wanting to spare him the effort or experience of failure. It also happens that in the rush of daily duties, caregivers do not allow the child to become too involved in household chores or other self-service activities, because adults will do it better or faster. In the short term, this strategy works, but looking at it in the long term we harm the child more than we help him. It takes time to get into practice and learn to do something right - whether it's dressing, cooking, or building spaceships.

A stay in a hospital is not one of the easiest experiences in the life of a child and its parents. Fortunately, there are people who can make this challenging time pleasant and at least a little easier. They're the animators. It's the most advantageous when they're an integral part of the child care team. Here, at the Paley European Institute, that's exactly how it is! :)

In cooperation with our psychologist Dominika Jakubowska, we're starting a new series of entries related to non-medical aspects of treatment. We'll discuss all the important issues that affect the entire therapy process. These are the topics that you should pay special attention to. We hope that our alphabet will help you prepare even better for treatment at the Paley European Institute. Our psychologist is still at your disposal. We wish you pleasant reading and we start with the first slogan in our ABC by Paley.

Sometimes it happens that parents are so eager to help and support the child that, with good intentions, they deprive the child of the opportunity to act independently. In situations in which he would manage alone or with a little help, parents often bail him out, wanting to spare him the effort or experience of failure. It also happens that in the busyness of daily chores, caregivers do not allow the child to get too involved in household chores or other self-service activities, because adults will do it better or faster.

Staying in the hospital is not one of the easiest experiences in the life of a child and his parents. Fortunately, there are people who can make this challenging time more pleasant and at least a little easier. These are entertainers. It is most beneficial when they are an integral part of the team taking care of the child. At us, at Paley European Institute, this is exactly the case! :)