As any parent of a young child will tell you, talking to your kids and getting them to listen is not an easy task. This challenge can be even more pronounced when you are a parent of a child with asthma, a condition that affects nearly one in 10 children in America, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

A diagnosis of asthma can often be daunting for both parents and children. Parents struggle with how to best care for their children with asthma, while children fear being treated differently than other kids their age due to their illness. However, it is critically important for parents and caregivers to play an active role, along with their health care providers, to help children manage their asthma.

When asthma is not properly managed, it can have real consequences for both parents and children. In fact, asthma accounts for almost 13 million missed school days each year and is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among those younger than 15 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and the American Lung Association.

To help parents talk with their children about asthma and support children coping with the disease, the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, through a partnership with Schering-Plough Corporation, has developed an entertaining and educational new storybook, “Breathless Bethany Buttercup.”

The storybook uses a little girl’s experience to provide information about asthma management. With playful rhymes and colorful illustrations, the storybook appeals to early elementary school-aged students.

“Many parents have questions about asthma, medications and how to help their children to take them as prescribed. ‘Breathless Bethany Buttercup’ provides the perfect forum for parents and children to talk about asthma and how to manage symptoms,” says Nancy Sander, founder and president of the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics.

Parents can order a free copy of “Breathless Bethany Buttercup” through Schering-Plough and the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics by visiting www.asthmastorybook.com or www.breatherville.org.

Understanding Asthma
When your child has asthma, his or her airways become inflamed, resulting in swollen and very sensitive airways that can easily be irritated by environmental and other factors. Asthma is a part of your child’s daily life and symptoms can strike anytime, anywhere. If you take the appropriate steps to learn about and understand the disease, and work with your child’s health care professional to develop an asthma treatment plan, you may be able to help manage your child’s asthma.

“It is important for parents to learn about asthma and identify what is causing their child’s symptoms. Parents must also be aware of warning signs that show asthma is worsening and take the appropriate steps to manage the condition,” says Sander.

Tips for Managing Your Child’s Asthma

* Recognize that asthma is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition and continually monitor your child’s asthma symptoms.

* Work with your child’s physician to develop an asthma action plan that outlines your child’s asthma history and includes information about current medications.

* Work with your child to identify and avoid activities and irritants that result in breathing problems.

* Keep your child involved and talk to them about their asthma, warning signs and the appropriate use of medications.

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