Helping Kids Feel Safe During Medical Care: How Play Can Prevent Fear and Anxiety with Mary Jenner, RN, BSN

Many kids feel anxious or afraid during medical visits — and parents often feel helpless watching it happen. In this powerful conversation, Sarah talks with Mary A. Jenner, pediatric nurse and founder of The Butterfly Pig, about how medical play can help children feel safe, brave, and confident during medical care.They explore how fear, anxiety, and even trauma can develop from medical experiences — and how parents and providers can take small but meaningful steps to prevent it.You’ll learn:• How to prepare kids for medical visits through play• What parents can say and do during procedures to reduce fear• Why simple tools like the Buzzy Bee or toy medical devices make a big difference• How to advocate gently but effectively for your child’s emotional safetyWhether you’re a parent, healthcare provider, or someone who’s had your own difficult medical experiences, this episode offers hope, compassion, and practical tools to help you and your loved ones feel safer in care settings.Guest: Mary A. Jenner, RN, Founder of The Butterfly PigLinks: Parent ResourcesKeywords: fear of doctorschild anxiety at doctorpreparing kids for medical procedureshow to help kids feel safepreventing trauma in healthcarepediatric medical playnervous system regulationsupporting children through medical care