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• talking to your child
• making the best of lifestyle changes

making the best of lifestyle changes

Use this opportunity for positive change

When your child is diagnosed with asthma, make a special time to talk with your child about the things that will have to change and why.

• Tell your child there are many other children -- perhaps even some of their classmates -- who have asthma and made changes.
• Remind them of the things that won't change. Make a list of all the things they can still do. When doing this, start a list of activities they'd like to do more of and make a plan together to help do them!
• Talk about how forming good habits -- getting enough sleep, drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables and washing their hands more often -- not only help control asthma, but help your child be healthier and stronger overall. Tell your child that you will be their partner in living a healthier lifestyle and use this opportunity to make positive changes in your own life! You can be a real team in making these changes together.
• Look for new things to replace some activities your child may have to give up for a while. This might be a great time to take up swimming.
• Involve the whole family in supporting your child with asthma. Talk with every household member about your child's asthma and have a collective brainstorm on how you can make the best of these changes.
• The best thing you can do to make this transition a positive experience is to keep an active, ongoing dialogue with your child about their experiences and feelings.

Make trigger-proofing your home fun

Trigger-proofing your home can be a positive learning experience.

• Once you have identified your child's asthma triggers, play a game and see what triggers you can find in the house -- from a shaggy rug to stuffed animals and bedding that is not non-allergenic.
• Once you've identified triggers that will have to leave the home, involve your child in selecting new items that can replace the old items -- a funny rubber dog instead of a stuffed animal; a colorful foam play mat or floor puzzle to replace a shaggy rug; non-allergenic pillows and bedding with fun sheets.