Stress
Stress is normal. You are probably used to experiencing stress as a parent. Unfortunately, when your child has a burn, you will be put under more stress.
“They were talking about her skin graft and we had to keep going back, and it was the not knowing in between whether she was going to need it or not. You worry about it but you’d worry more if you knew! And then you’re traveling so far, and there’s your fuel. When you get to the hospital there’s parking, finding a space first! Then in the hospital the kid is being fed but mum’s not, so then there’s more money for lunch… It’s constantly money all the time and, you know, you’re not working so you’re not making money. And the worry’s going round all the time.”
When we are under stress or feeling anxious, the body reacts as though it is in danger. This is a natural reaction designed to help us to react quickly to danger – to ‘fight, flee or freeze’. However, it can be triggered by our thoughts when there is no actual danger. This stress response is sometimes called ‘fight or flight.’