As a parent, the last thing you want is for your kids to get sick. However, if and when they do, it’s up to you as their parent to make sure that your kids get the best medical care possible. But with our medical system and doctors who are over-scheduled, it can be hard to get the time and attention your kids need without making it happen.

To help parents who may be struggling with this, here are three tips for being a better advocate for your children’s health. 

Come To Appointments Prepared

One of the biggest factors in allowing yourself to be an advocate for your child’s medical care is to be knowledgeable about what’s going on with them. To do this, you have to come prepared to any medical appointments.

Ideally, you should try to research what procedures your child might have to undergo during any given doctor’s appointment. Additionally, you should know what decisions you might be asked to make and have thought through what your opinions and responses will be. According to KidsHealth.org, you should write down any questions or concerns you might have before you go into the appointment. This will help you keep your thoughts in order in the event that the appointment is more stressful than you anticipated. 

Become A Pest

For many parents, one of the biggest hurdles to being as effective of an advocate as they may like to or want to be is their fear of being a pest. However, in many instances, this is something you’re going to have to get over and even embrace in the effort to get what’s best for your child.

According to Kate Snow, a contributor to Today.com, you should never be afraid to ask questions about something you don’t understand or aren’t sure about. And if you need more answers than you feel like you’re getting, make phone calls, write emails, and any other means you have for communicating in order to get what you and your child need to get the best care possible. 

Put Yourself In The Decision-Making Process

Because you’re likely not a medical professional yourself, you might feel that it’s not really your place to be involved in the decision-making process for your child’s medical care. But despite this type of credentialing, ChildrensColorado.org shares that you as your child’s parent have every right to take part in every decision for your child’s health and medical treatments. So if this is something you’ve struggled with in the past, even if you already do agree with the decisions of your child’s doctor, practice being a more vocal part of this decision-making process. 

If you want to ensure that your child is getting the best possible health care, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you become a better medical advocate for your child.