When your child is facing a serious illness, hospitalization, medical procedure, injury, or other frightening medical experience, it can be easy to focus entirely on your child—and forget that the experience affects you, too.
In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen welcome back Dr. Meghan Marsac, a pediatric psychologist and expert in pediatric medical traumatic stress, to talk about what happens to parents when their child is facing a medical challenge.
Medical trauma doesn't only affect children. Parents may experience intrusive thoughts or memories, avoidance, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, increased anxiety, changes in mood, and other symptoms of traumatic stress.
Dr. Marsac explains why recognizing these reactions matters—and why supporting yourself isn't an indulgence or an additional item on an already overwhelming to-do list. Taking care of yourself can actually help you remain present and effective as your child's advocate and caregiver.
Together, they discuss:
- What medical trauma can look like in parents
- How traumatic stress can show up after a child's diagnosis, hospitalization, accident, or medical procedure
- Why parents may minimize or overlook their own distress
- Why even teenagers can sense when a parent is struggling
- How a parent's emotional health can affect their child
- The COACH model for supporting children through medical challenges
- Why parents may have difficulty using the COACH approach when they are overwhelmed themselves
- How to accept help—and why asking for help isn't a sign of weakness
- Ways to find support during hospitalizations and ongoing medical care
- Child life specialists, social workers, psychologists, chaplains, and other hospital resources
- How parents can take small, realistic steps to care for themselves
- Resources for families dealing with pediatric medical trauma and chronic illness
Here are the highlights from the episode:
00:00 Don't Oversay "I Got This"
00:27 Medical Trauma Doesn’t Only Affect Kids
02:34 How Medical Trauma Shows Up in Parents
05:24 Why Parents Need Support Too
07:46 How a Parent’s Stress Affects Their Child
09:53 The COACH Model
11:22 Practical Ways Parents Can Get Support
12:48 Stop Turning Down Help
14:01 Who Are Your People?
16:24 Support Available Inside the Hospital
19:08 Resources for Parents and Families
21:11 Final Thoughts
One of the most important reminders from this conversation: you don't have to do this alone. Sometimes the first step isn't finding more time for yourself—it's saying yes when someone offers to help.
👩⚕️ Meet Dr. Meghan Marsac
Dr. Meghan Marsac is a pediatric psychologist and Division Chief of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. She has published extensively on pediatric medical trauma and co-authored Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent's Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma with Melissa Hogan.Her work focuses on helping children and families navigate the psychological impact of medical experiences.
📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode
📖 Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent's Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma
By Meghan L. Marsac, Melissa J. Hogan, with a foreword by John F. Crowley. The book provides practical strategies for parents navigating medical procedures, medical trauma, chronic conditions, and difficult healthcare experiences.
Learn more about *Afraid of the Doctor*
🧰 Healthcare Toolbox — Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress
A free resource with information, handouts, and workbooks for children, teens, parents, and caregivers coping with injury, illness, hospitalization, and medical treatment. Dr. Marsac is co-director of this organization.
Healthcare Toolbox
🧠 National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
The NCTSN provides information and resources about child traumatic stress, including resources specifically related to medical trauma and healthcare experiences.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network — Medical Trauma Resources
🤝 Alongside Network
A community and resource network supporting families caring for children who have experienced a life-threatening illness or injury. Alongside offers parent/caregiver communities, support, resources, and connections with others who understand these experiences.
Alongside Network
💬 If This Episode Resonated With You
If your child or teenager has experienced a frightening medical event, chronic illness, hospitalization, injury, or difficult medical treatment, we hope this conversation reminds you that your experience matters, too.
And if someone in your life is navigating a medical challenge with their child, share this episode with them. Sometimes hearing that your reactions are understandable—and that you don't have to carry everything alone—can make a meaningful difference.
🔔 New episodes every Wednesday.
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DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.
