DD in hospital alone and cannot get to sleep.

[Laffydaffy]

Any tips for a remotely-operating mum? DD (11) is staying in for investigations and this is her first night away alone. She finds it difficult to bother the nurses (they are in a hurry, mum, they are probably grumpy), but needs comfort I am not there to give. Tips?

Tell her to look up yoga nidra (Yvonne doyle has a nice one)on you tube. It is a guided meditation that you can do just lying in bed or you could play it for her over the phone possibly?

If she has a mobile maybe a few comforting messages - you will be fine, we'll see you at ..., try to settle down and sleep, you are very brave, maybe read a few pages of your book, FaceTime call? Maybe call ward and tell staff she is a bit lonely and worried? Hope everything is ok.

Oh bless you. And her. I'm sure you've already tried but is there definitely nobody that can go and be with her? A relative or friend? Or can anyone help you out with whatever is preventing you from going?

Besides that, does she have things to occupy her, like a phone, tablet, kindle, book, magazine, audiobook etc? Obviously ordinarily it would be too late for those things but it isn't an ordinary situation so distraction is probably good. Has she got a teddy, familiar nightclothes, her own pillow?

Oh poor love. Could you call the ward and ask for them to help her. Maybe read a book till she feels sleepy. It sounds tough at such a young age

If she has a phone, they should have 🎧 on the wards which they give to patients

Thanks, everyone. We live in a country where kids from 6 are alone in hospital. Parents can stay late and come early, and to be fair, DD really wanted to stay by herself, because she feels well. I am going to give the ward a ring now.

This is so hard, been there so know how you feel. I use to insist I stayed with my son (pre mobile days ) the nurses kicked up but I just got on with it, spent 6 weeks sleeping in a chair by his bed the second time he was in.

i use to leave a note with what time I would be back when I nipped out for shower/loo etc. it reassured him to know how long he was alone.

does she have a mobile, I agree with pp read to her on her phone, don’t talk / chat just a quiet read. Or if she can get headphones an audio book might help. But your voice will be better. Is she just in tonight?

try calling the ward and tell them.

Are you not allowed to be with them?!

Was you not allowed to sleep there too. ? X

Parents usually only stay if the child is going to be a challenge, as in, really, really unwell or is developmentally delayed and needs their parent. Personally, I hate this. She is settling now. Thanks, everyone, for your late night/early morning support

Wow that’s shocking…..I stayed with my DD up til she was 15 ( was in and out of hospital when younger) …..certainly at 11 she wouldn’t have been happy to be without a family member for more than an hour or so…..it’s open access for parents in our children’s hospital

When my DD was in hospital and I was at home. When she was all settled in bed, we would FaceTime and I would read to her.

Can you set her up with some audiobooks? Something comforting or familiar (Harry Potter)?

Where is this, which country?

Clearly the OP wants to keep this information withheld. You don't need to know the country