This morning I was enjoying my cup of coffee and watching the Today show on television. There was a segment that came on with a couple that has “invented” a placebo for children. They have packaged sugar pills into a container that resembles medication. On purpose. So that parents can give it to their children as a “medicine” when they are complaining about fake illnesses or minor real ones.
As expected, this is very controversial and touches many of the hot points in parenting.
We have all had children who pretend they are sick to get out of something or who go through a phase of chronic hypochondria. But do we want to give them a pill to placate them? Or do we want to get to the root of the problem? Are they seeking some extra attention? Do we lie to our children?
My concern is that we have become a pill popping society and I don’t want my children to think that a single pill can fix whatever ails them. Maybe I am being overly dramatic, but I think this sets the children up on a path that can lead to drug and alcohol abuse. Don’t feel good? Find a pill.
I realize that there have been numerous studies done which suggest that sugar pills are just as effective as real drugs. I don’t dispute that fact. I am sure that there are legitimate uses for sugar pills. I just don’t think my medicine cabinet is the place.
What do you think?
My son is a six year-old hypochondriac and I’m a guilty of putting some lotion on invisible scratches or bandaids on cuts not visible to the human eye, but I don’t know about placebo pills. I think you’re right about us being a pill popping society. Do we want to start the reliance on pharmaceuticals at such a young age?
Comment by sharon — May 29, 2008 @ 9:20 am
I saw this segment as well and really didn’t think the couple who are selling this had a valid explanation to back up what they are doing.
I feel strongly that if an average child is hurt, they need to deal with it hurting. That is how they learn what it means to hurt and try to avoid it from happening again. When a child is nervous, anxious, sad, or experiencing a normal, human feeling, what they could use is an adult to talk to them about it, encourage using techniques to reduce the stress, or find ways to resolve it. Popping a pill, in my opinion, removes the responsibility from that child to just deal with what they are going through.
Now if it’s a serious condition enough to require real medication, I’m not going judge.
Comment by Stacey — May 29, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
Oh Boy! What an interesting topic. I didn’t see the particular segment and having now read the article I must say that I agree very much with with Stacey but as ‘they’say “different strokes for different folks”.
Comment by Tiffany — May 30, 2008 @ 4:17 am
my daughter goes to theropy we talked about the sugar pill before. She stated that she advises parents to use them for children that are wanting to take pills when there parnets do or when they have things such as fake ills as a option to keep there children’s mind off taking a really pill for things such as growing pains etc. The same objective of when a child whom can normally see
great, however wants to ware glasses when another child is whom actually has a vision problem.
I dont think it is a good idea all the time, however if the child has an issue with wanting to take pills it might be a better option then the child getting into the pill box or wanting to take pills because mommy or daddy does.
However I do not support it on a normal basis,
if the child continues to want the pill then they
might need some theropy.
Comment by silenttears — May 30, 2008 @ 4:44 am
I also give my daughter “placebo” bandaids, but I think you’re right that the sugar pills send the wrong message.
Mmmmmm, Soma . . . (a la “Brave New World”).
Comment by Brigitte — May 30, 2008 @ 5:37 am
I’m guilty of going in the other direction… the Suck It Up approach. Unless there’s a risk of infection (or if something is still bleeding) my boys don’t even get a Band Aid.
I really think I’ve kept the drama at bay by not tending to every little boo-boo. For the most part, they fall down, assess the situation, and as long as there aren’t any body parts hanging off, they brush themselves off and go back to what they are doing. With three very active boys that play every sport that was ever thought up, I couldn’t have it any other way.
I think the placebo pills are a hideous idea that will create long-term problems in the future. Not to mention that it urges parents to deceive their children. That id just wrong on so many levels.
If a child needs medicine, by all means, give it to them. If it’s something psychosomatic, it’s time to talk to them and find out what’s really wrong. If it’s just a mild belly ache that will subside on it’s own in a short time, telling your child exactly that should do the trick. We need to teach them coping skills, IMO. If I took something every time I had a headache, I’d have burned a whole in my stomach by now.
Thanks for bringing this up. I didn’t realize I had an approach, or even an opinion, on this matter until you brought it!
Comment by Dani — May 30, 2008 @ 10:12 am
I have given my children placebo banaids, but I think those are different somehow. You both know there is nothing there.
Something about the pills just doesn’t settle well with me.
Comment by Chris — May 30, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
I know as a parent I try hard to keep a handle on how much sugar my children ingest. Yes placebo bandaids are one thing but giving kids extra sugar in the form of a pill will only in my opinion open a possible “addiction” and lets face it in this day and age we don’t need another thing for our children to possibly start an addictive personality with.
I like Dani’s approach – get up wipe it off and continue on your way. Become an independant person – mommy is here when you need her but some things you can get through on your own.
Comment by beth — June 4, 2008 @ 12:38 pm