04/18/2026
Teaching Our Children to Use Their Voice, Especially in Healthcare
-A reflection from a mom, and a holistic practitioner-
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children isn't something wrapped in a bow. It's the confidence to say, I don't like that, or I need a minute, or simply, I'm okay now. You can continue. Teaching our children to advocate for themselves, especially in healthcare settings, is one of the most empowering and protective skills we can nurture from a young age.
As a holistic practitioner, I understand the importance of informed consent, open communication, and meeting a patient exactly where they are. As a mom, I know how hard it can be to watch your child in pain, physically, emotionally, or both, and feel the pull to just fix it, fast. But sometimes the most healing thing we can do is slow down and let them lead.
We've been navigating an ongoing ankle injury with our daughter. It's been one of those winding roads, and this past Friday, we decided to try acupuncture.
She didn't just receive care that day. She PARTICIPATED in it. And that changes everything!
We were in the hands of Andrea Geiger with Five Graces Acupuncture and Herbs, and from the very first moment, I knew we were in the right place. Andrea approached her not as a patient to be treated, but as a person to be heard. She evaluated carefully, asked thoughtful questions, and, perhaps most importantly, communicated directly to our daughter that her voice mattered. That she could speak up. That she should speak up.
And something beautiful happened. Once she understood that her comfort and input weren't just welcomed but genuinely needed, she opened up. More and more information came forward, and that information gave Andrea so much more to work with. The session became a true collaboration.
Our daughter gave Andrea the green light to use the needles. When offered a choice between additional needling or the tuning fork, she didn't hesitate. She confidently chose the tuning fork. No tears, no resistance, just a calm, trusting little kid who felt safe because she knew she was in control of her own experience.
That is the power of self-advocacy.
As parents, we spend so much time speaking for our children, especially when they're scared or uncertain. But we have to also create the space for them to speak for themselves. And we have to find practitioners willing to hold that space with us. Andrea did exactly that. She modeled what compassionate, communicative, patient-centered care looks like, and for a young child, that lesson may very well last a lifetime.
Whether your child is seeing a pediatrician, a dentist, a chiropractor, or, like ours, an acupuncturist, here's what I'd encourage you to practice at home and in those rooms:
-Tell them their voice matters. Before every appointment, remind your child that they are allowed to ask questions, say when something hurts, and express what they prefer.
-Let them answer first. When the provider asks your child a question, resist the urge to jump in. Give them the pause they need. Let them find the words.
-Celebrate when they speak up. Whether they say "that hurts" or "I want to try the other option," celebrate it. That courage is something to be proud of!
-Seek out practitioners who invite it. Find providers who speak directly to your child, who explain what they're doing and why, and who make room for "no" just as much as "yes."
She walked out of that session standing a little taller. Not because the ankle is magically healed, but because she discovered something about herself in that room: she has a voice, it's respected, and using it actually helps.
That's the kind of healing that follows a child well into adulthood.
A heartfelt thank you to Andrea Geiger and Five Graces Acupuncture for showing us truly, what whole-person care looks like.
I am happy to report her ankle is feeling much better this morning. SO onward and upward as the follow-up appointment is already booked!
