Teaching Your Kids to Take Medicine Safely
Whether your child needs an occasional over-the-counter remedy or has an ongoing prescription, talking about it openly can help them stay safe. It also eases them into taking responsibility for it as they grow older. And believe it or not, the time you spend now — along with setting a good example — can help children avoid substance misuse, abuse, and addiction later in life.
Age and Expectations
Younger children should not use medicine on their own. By age 10, many kids can take on medication tasks while being watched by an adult. At age 14, your child’s pediatrician can help you assess what they can do alone.
Hands-On Advice
Follow these tips to help children build good habits:
- Send the right message. Never call it candy or entice them to take their “yummy medicine.” Every grimace when they take the yucky medicine is a chance to explain that it’s meant to help them feel better and stay well.
- Read labels together. This tells kids how much to take and when. Even if your child is too young to read it themselves, you’re modeling responsible behavior. When they’re older, the warnings and other details will become more meaningful to them.
- Talk about side effects. Give younger children alternate words and phrases to use, like tummy ache. This will help them tell you or another grownup when they feel a side effect. For all kids, make it clear what signs need attention right away. For example, sweating and becoming lightheaded after taking insulin.
- Let them help you. When they’re ready, children can help count pills, measure liquids, and track their use in a chart or calendar. To get the right amount, use the cup or dropper to measure liquids, not a spoon. Tell them that it’s important to always follow the health care provider’s directions. And praise them because that’s what they’re doing!
Daily Medicine
For kids who take medicine for a chronic condition, such as diabetes or asthma, set a routine and get them involved. Children can help you:
- Choose a set time to take it. One option is before brushing their teeth.
Pick a place to store it. Let them know this helps keep siblings, friends, and pets safe. - Stay on top of school policies. You both need to know what to expect and who can provide help when it’s needed. Be sure to update the care-related information in your child’s student education plan before the start of each school year, if needed.
- Preparing children to manage their own care also helps build their confidence and ready them for adulthood.

CRH News
-
VIDEO: NexusPark Construction Timelapse
Nov 28, 2023, 19:07 PM by Laker, J.Watch three angles of the ongoing construction of NexusPark through November, 2023.Full story -
Holiday hours for CRH-affiliated services
Nov 15, 2023, 19:09 PM by Andrew LakerOffice hours for CRH-affiliated practices and service lines for the 2023/2024 holiday season.Full story -
Healthy Communities releases gun safety statement
Nov 1, 2023, 17:35 PM by User Not FoundColumbus Regional Health Healthy Communities Council recognizes unintentional and intentional gun deaths and injuries as a public health crisis.Full story -
CRH Offering Two Important Health Screening Opportunities
Oct 12, 2023, 16:03 PM by DeClue, A.On Oct. 28, Columbus Regional Health Breast Health Services will offer a free clinical breast screening event for those whose insurance does not cover breast screenings. Also, throughout November, the CRH Lung Care Team is offering low-dose lung scans to anyone who is eligible and hasn’t had a lung scan before.Full story -
OB/GYN Associates prepares for move to NexusPark
Oct 11, 2023, 17:54 PM by DeClue, A.Columbus Regional Health is pleased to announce the first phase of the relocation process for those practices and services moving into the health system’s dedicated space in NexusPark. In this first phase, OB/GYN Associates will relocate to NexusPark and open to patients on Oct. 23, 2023.Full story -
Workplace Violence Prevention Efforts at CRH Supported By New Law
Sep 13, 2023, 19:33 PM by Newton, A.The safety of Columbus Regional Health's workforce is our priority. The formation of the Columbus Regional Hospital Police Department in 2020 has allowed us to have immediate response from law enforcement for workforce members. As part of their work, our Workplace Violence Prevention Committee reviews workplace violence incidents and looks at how to incorporate various scenarios in our training and education for staff.Full story