Katie Taylor, CCLS Child Life On Call for SmileMakers Inc

One thing we know to be true: When one child is hospitalized, the whole family is affected.

It's not just the "sick" or "injured" child who is feeling compromised, worried and isolated…their siblings feel it, too. Questions like, "why did this happen to them and not me?" or "will they ever get better" can circle their thoughts without having clear explanations.

Siblings may feel like their hospitalized brother or sister are getting more "special attention" from caregivers and even feel envious about their experience.

Due to the pandemic and the fact that siblings don't get to even visit their brother or sister in the hospital, siblings need attention. That is why it is more important than ever to include and engage siblings into child life services.

I love the idea of creating a bag that is ONLY for siblings. This bag includes a letter from the hospital (see below) and items that encourage the sibling to stay connected and understood while the patient is hospitalized. 

Get your bags here to put all the items in, and please tell us what you think is missing from this list or what you would add to it.

• Normalize the hospital environment and medical setting with bandages and a DIY medical play kit. Fold construction paper into a "bag" and fill with medical items that are safe for all ages: cotton balls, oral syringes, band aids, gloves, masks, alcohol wipes. Get your fun bandages from SmileMakers here.
• Encourage the sibling to take care of themselves, too. Put lip balm, fun toothbrushes, and hand sanitizer in the sibling bag.
• Give them notepads to send back and forth to the hospital, just like you used to in school! This will be a fun way for siblings to draw pictures or be "pen pals" while they are separated.
• Promote positive coping skills and encourage them to express their feelings. Provide bubbles, stress balls, and more to encourage deep breathing, ball squeezing and other positive coping tools.

Tell us what you think is missing from this list or what you would add to it on Facebook or Instagram.