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When your child is resigned to stay home due to a serious illness, the ensuing boredom could be hard for him. Even for adults, being stuck home detached from their typical lifestyle is never easy, what more for a child. The prolonged confinement could give the impression that life is careening out of control. Especially in the case of your child's being diagnosed with a serioushealthcondition, listening to your doctor'smedical advicemay leave you with no choice. Despite the restrictions, however, you can still ensure he makes the most out of this experience. How? Read on.

• Let your child stay connected with his friends.

Prior to his illness, you might have restricted your child's use of social networking gadgets to keep him from getting distracted in his academic responsibilities. However, now that he has no choice but to be isolated from his peers, he would be needing them more than ever. The loneliness and distance from his pals could make him an easy prey for depression. So slacken up and let him get connected with them as often as he wants. Photosharing, emailing, texting, etc. allow him to get and stay in touch with his social network. Doing so gives him the opportunity to get the emotional support he needs, while giving him the idea that his illness has not permanently separated him from his usual way of life and friends.

• Guide him to explore his creative abilities.

The physical limitations set upon your child due to his illness could deprive him of needed outlets to vent his feelings and anxieties. Nevertheless, despite the social distance that comes with being home-confined, this is also the best time to explore his creative side. What particular creative activities has your child been interested in but never got around to doing? There is no better time to tap that hidden artistic potential than now. Has he always been fascinated with painting, writing poetry, scrapbook making, or sculpting? Guide him to take liberties with his artistic side. Let him experiment using a variety of techniques and/or materials. More than just a hobby, creative activities work to harness his intellectual faculties while affording the valuable opportunity to release his pent-up emotions/thoughts.

• Encourage him to engage in useful/lucrative self-empowering activities.

One of the foremost concerns parents have about having a sick child stay at home for prolonged periods is the risk of depression. The social isolation, detachment from his usual way of life, and the marked changes brought on by his condition make him vulnerable to wallowing in negativity, especially self-pity. The moment he yields to them, it is expected that his self-esteem would erode as well. To keep your child feeling strong and capable in spite of his illness, encourage him to do activities that boost his morale. Why not have him start his own website, allowing him to express and accumulate information regarding his condition, so as to help other kids? You could also suggest a fund-raiser or a mini-support group. Or you could have him make a list of all the things he would do as soon as his condition improves. Regardless of what self-empowering activity your child selects, the mental diversion and morale-boost he derives from them would help speed up and raise his chances for recovery.