Children’s hospital visits made easier with Monkey Wellbeing

Going to hospital can be a frightening thing for little ones.

Boo had her first general anaesthetic when she was seven months old which I think was worse for me than her as, at that age she wasn’t really aware of what was going on.

I was so relieved when I was led into recovery to see her and, in true mummy fashion, I came prepared and cut her toe nails before she woke up-bad mummy.

She had another general anaesthetic about a year after which was much worse as she was older and able to voice her opinions much more.

Thankfully, if she ever needs to go to hospital again, I have a trick up my sleeve or, to be honest, someone else’s trick up my sleeve.

Another mum has designed an amazing range of booklets and materials to help children going to hospital.

Not since Dr Ranj has children’s paediatrics recieved so much attention but, Dr Ranj (my secret crush) mainly deals with GP problems not hospital visits.

Helen Sadler, aka Mum on a Mission is a trained teacher who made a handmade book for her little girl when she had to go into hospital aged 18 months.

As a primary school teacher she used her skills to create a handmade book. The idea was simple, a toy monkey was the patient and he was photographed in the actual hospital rooms that her child would visit, with the equipment that she would see all around her.

Helen’s enthusiasm encouraged her to make Monkey’s Mission a reality. After Uncle Monkey’s first storybook for the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Brighton received such positive feedback from children, parents and hospital staff, Helen’s journey began.

The story book I received was Monkey Has a Blood Test and it shows something which, to a child, must seem terribly frightening but, with the aid of monkey, seems fun and not so bad at all.

It is is so different to the time three nurses had to pin my poor Boo down to take blood from her chubby little baby arm which seemed to be devoid of any veins.

Going to hospital with children is a terrifying experience for all involved-including parents and I imagine siblings.

If Monkey Wellbeing can prevent even some of the anxiety, then I am all for it.

You can even get a monkey glove puppet, which if Boo has to have anything else done, I would seriously consider buying at only £9.95.

Schools and other youth organisations can even get whole packs including lesson plans to help children cope with going to hospital. To find out more, click here.

What an amazing idea.

*I was sent a copy of Monkey Has a Blood Test, some stickers and an activity book to review but all opinions are my own.