CAREABOUTKIDS

Parents: Pre-Term Babies:Because of the stresses involved in having and caring for a pre-term baby, parents may wish to seek help. Hospital-based social workers are often available to help parents cope with stress and to arrange other needed services, such as financial aid or home visits from a public health nurse. Calling on willing family members and friends for needed relief is also good for new parents. If money is not a problem the services of a capable babysitter may help tremendously. The important issue is that parents acknowledge their need for help and ask for it freely. MY WORD: No one should feel they have to take on the added responsibility of being a parent alone. We all need help sometime. That's perfectly normal. Even if only a hour or two a day.pg.5 pa 2