Any way that you can give your child a sense of control over their illness will be beneficial to how they cope with it. An example of this would be making a chart of when medicine needs to be taken and then putting up stickers when the child reminds you or even uses the puffer or rinses their nose themselves. Encouraging school attendance and reasonable physical activities is beneficial. Children should try to maintain as normal a lifestyle for their age as is possible. This will minimize how different they feel from their classmates.
Physical activities are important because they reduce stress and increase self-esteem.
Our children rely on us to be their source of stability during the times when they feel their life is out of control. They often imitate our emotional responses to situations. If we act as though we are in control, their behavior often follows. How a serious illness affects the family Chronic illness affects whole families as well as the patient. Family members may find themselves in unfamiliar or undesired roles.