Let's just say I am not the person you want around in an emergency room situation. In fact, I am the WORST person you can have in these types of situations. Earlier this summer, my eight year old - while playing a round of hide-in-seek -- slammed a closet door on his right middle finger. I nearly passed out when I saw the injury and had to sit with my head between my knees for a few seconds before heading to the emergency room.

Once we arrived, I wasn't much better. I was desperately trying to appear calm - but I know my son was effected by anxiety. As I focused on not throwing up - an angel entered the room. They're called "Child Life Specialists" and their job is to keep the child - and the parents - calm in these emergency situations.

She was amazing! She calmly spoke to Colton and told him exactly what was going to happen while encouraging me to remember to breathe. She brought calm to the situation and made all of us more comfortable. I was so effected by her that I insisted that she be on Good Morning Texas to tell other squeamish parents how to behave in the emergency room. She offers these tips:

How Parents Can Prepare their Child for a Trip to the Hospital:

1. Tell your child that he or she will be going to the hospital for an operation, test or procedure. (Let your child know in advance if you know a test or procedure is about to happen, even if it is something uncomfortable like a needle. This will give your child a feeling of trust.)

2. Always use honest and use simple explanations that fit your child's age and level of understanding.

3. Try not to make promises you can't keep. For example, do not tell your child that nothing will hurt or that there won't be any blood tests.

4. Talk about what the hospital is with your child. For example, you might say "The hospital is a place where people of all ages go when their bodies need some help to work. The doctors and nurses know a lot about how our bones and muscles and insides work. They try to help us get well, feel better and stay healthy."

5. Try to choose words that are less frightening when describing procedures and tests to your child. For example, you might say, "The nurse will 'slide' the needle into your arm," rather than "The nurse will 'stick' or 'poke' a needle into your arm." You might want to tell your child that "During the operation the doctor will "make a small opening" into your stomach" rather than "The doctor will 'cut a hole' into your stomach."

6. Tell your child how he or she may feel, before, during and after the operation, procedure or test.

7. Encourage your child to bring his or her favorite toys to the hospital, such as a stuffed animal, pillow, music, even games.

8. Ask your child questions to make sure he or she understands what you have said.

9. Listen to your child's feelings, and help him or her talk about them. You can help your child express feelings through words, play, drawing or painting. Hospital Play Kits can be used with dolls, puppets or stuffed animals to help your child become more comfortable with health care procedures. Reading books about "going to the hospital" can also be helpful.

10. Always, always, always remain calm. If you remain calm, your child is more likely to remain calm and cope with his or her hospitalization better.

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