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William goes to day care
When William was four months old he went to day care. I had intended to go back to work when my baby was three months old, but we were waiting for William’s heart operation, which had been due at three months.
 After delaying my return for a month I thought I had better make the commitment and return to work. I rang around to the different services offered and went to see Barnardos. They recommended in-home day care, which means the care is provided by one person in their home and they are allowed to care for four children under four years, with only two allowed to be under two years of age.
They recommended Helen, (not her real name), for location and atmosphere of the home. After meeting her and the other children she had in her care (all older girls), I agreed and was perfectly comfortable in leaving William in her care from 8am to 5.30pm, four days a week.
I had worried that the extra work that we had been providing in William’s physical and mental development would be missed, but I don’t think anything could make up for the extra stimulation he received by being exposed to three busy girls who doted on him, and Helen, who as well as being a professional in childcare and very interested in the extra care William needed, loves him to pieces.
In hindsight, I think this was the best thing for William and was only advantageous to his development. I am now a full-time mother, with Abigail arriving when William was two. I continue to take William to Helen’s for one day a week for both Helen's and William’s sake. Helen would pine without him, I think he’s great therapy for her. One of the girls is still there and there is an older boy, who introduced him to boy things, and a younger girl. I teach them two Makaton signs a week and they all think it’s great signing, when they read books together.
William goes to hospital
 Our boy William, who was two years old at the time, started to develop a fever. Over the course of a few days, the fever steadily became worse and he began to show discomfort. William generally never complains or shows discomfort when sick or in pain, so when he started showing discomfort we took him to the local clinic.
Staff at the clinic were prompt in seeing William and attempted to cool him down. After a while they referred him to the children’s ward at the hospital from which, after some hours, he was sent home with the usual Pamol.
William’s fever and discomfort continued so his mother took him back to the hospital where the same routine followed. This time, however, his mum insisted something was seriously wrong - William never complains - at which point he had an x-ray performed and was found to have pneumonia.
The moral of this story is not about our health system or hospitals. In my opinion, they do a wonderful job for our children with the resources they have available. It’s about the fact that we, as parents, know our children best and that we, as parents, can and should advise medical professionals as to our children’s conditions.
So, in short, have the confidence to speak for your child. Most professionals want to hear our opinions.
If you have a story you would like to share please send it to us at: webmaster@ihc.org.nz
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