Effective transitions for families: life beyond the hospital.

The numbers of innovative inhospital programs for children are growing. Family-focused activities can help families cope better with the hospital experience. Yet, to promote optimal healing, health care providers must recognize that a family's life goes on after the hospital stay. Many stresses make life difficult for families. Most families are resilient, but many can benefit from help in managing the transition from hospital to home. Valuing the small things children do, connecting with other families, locating community resources, understanding the short and long term needs of the child are some of the critical transitions for families.