Christian parenting in hospital: surviving through everyday faith

I’m sitting just to her side, wedged between the ward wall and my child’s hospital bed. For me and many other parents this has become a familiar yet daunting place. The rhythmic soundscape of oxygen masks and intermittent beeping from machines becomes our lullaby. It merges into the background of chatter and children’s cries, as we try to rest and get some sleep. 

Every visit to hospital brings with it a loss of control and removes your home comforts which can be disorientating and can affect how we are equipped to deal with difficult situations. Fear can rise and you can find yourself prone to analysing monitors desperate for any glimmer of hope.  

It is hard enough when we go through these challenges ourselves, but to do so as a parent can bring another layer of complexity to the table. Not only do we have to find the faith to get through the days personally but we also have the critical role of being there for our children.  

So how can we parent our children well in the midst of such challenges and stress? Maybe the answer is simply through our own everyday faith. Let me share three ways in which we try to navigate this as a family.

1. The gift of presence 

Sitting in this wipe clean fold out chair, I look over at my daughter. Being able to sit with her, just being there brings her such comfort. All it takes is for her to look over to see me and I see her shoulders relax and a twinkle return to her eyes. Our presence brings hope to our children and cultivates a place of peace.