How to Advocate For Your Child

Published on November 8, 2025

blog post 11.8

You’re sitting in a doctor’s office or hospital room, and suddenly it feels like everything is spinning. The team is using words you’ve never heard, forms are being pushed across the table, and there’s this invisible clock ticking, telling you to hurry up and decide.

Your heart is pounding. Your gut is uneasy. Something inside is whispering, “This doesn’t feel right.” But you don’t know how to speak up without being labeled as “that” parent.

Take a deep breath. You’re not alone — and you’re not overreacting.
At Foundation of Stone Family Chiropractic, we want every parent to know this truth: unless your child is facing a true, immediate emergency, you have every right to slow things down, ask questions, and truly understand what’s being presented before saying yes to anything.

Because the truth is — your child’s health decisions shouldn’t be rushed.

Why Slowing Down Matters

Here’s a sobering reality: medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. That’s not meant to scare you — it’s meant to remind you that your voice matters.

Parents often feel pressured to agree quickly, only to go home later second-guessing everything. You deserve better than that kind of stress, and your child deserves care that’s thoughtful, not hurried.

Let’s talk about how to step into the role of your child’s best advocate — calm, confident, and informed.

Step 1: Master the Power of the Pause

Hospitals and medical offices are built for urgency — beeping monitors, quick decisions, fast-moving staff. But here’s the truth: most medical decisions are not emergencies.

When you feel pressure mounting, use this phrase:

“I need a moment to process this before making a decision.”

That’s it. No explanation needed.

When you take a moment to pause:

Your brain shifts from panic to problem-solving.
You can reach out to your support system for perspective.
Your intuition — that built-in parental radar — finally has room to speak.

And here’s the thing: good providers will respect your pause. They know you’re not being difficult — you’re being intentional.

Step 2: Ask the Three Questions That Change Everything

Before anyone touches your child or starts a treatment, ask these:

1️⃣ What are the risks?
Ask for details — not just “minimal side effects.” You have a right to know what could happen, even if it’s rare.

2️⃣ What are the benefits?
How will this help? When should you expect to see results? What will it look like if it isn’t working?

3️⃣ What are the alternatives?
This is the golden question most parents don’t know they can ask. What happens if we wait, watch, or try something less invasive first?

These questions aren’t combative — they’re how you create informed consent. And that’s real partnership in your child’s care.

Step 3: Learn to Recognize Fake Urgency

The hospital environment can make everything feel like a crisis, but not every decision is time-sensitive.

Ask:

“Is this time-critical? What happens if we wait an hour, a day, or get a second opinion?”

Most of the time, you’ll discover you have more space than it seems.
Write down their answers. Keep notes. Documentation isn’t defiance — it’s protection, and it empowers you to make clear-headed decisions later.

Step 4: Trust Your Gut

That little nudge in your belly that says, “Something’s off” — that’s not anxiety. That’s intuition.

You know your child better than anyone else. You notice subtle changes — the way they breathe, the tone of their cry, the spark in their eyes. Research shows that parents’ instincts can sometimes detect illness more accurately than medical data alone.

If your gut says “wait” or “ask again,” say it out loud:

“This doesn’t sit well with me. I’d like a second opinion before we proceed.”

You don’t need a medical degree to know when something doesn’t feel right.

Step 5: Build Your Advocacy Toolkit

1. Don’t Go Alone
Bring a partner, friend, or family member — or put someone on speakerphone. Two sets of ears are better than one.

2. Keep Notes
Use your phone to track:

Who you spoke with
What they recommended (and why)
What questions you asked
Any pushback or hesitation

3. Know Your Rights
You can:
✅ Say no to a procedure
✅ Ask for another provider
✅ Request time to research
✅ Leave and seek care elsewhere

You are not being difficult — you are being your child’s best advocate.

Remember What It’s Really About

Advocating doesn’t mean fighting. It means protecting. It means ensuring your child receives the right care — not just the fastest.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need fancy medical language. You just need confidence, calm, and courage — and that’s exactly what your child needs most from you.