Parents’ best intentions can go awry when children are in pain

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McMurty et al remind us of an issue and body of knowledge that has slipped by many of us in pediatrics. Evidence suggests that reassuring behaviors (eg, vocalization of empathy, apology, offering control to the child) by parents during children’s painful procedures is not reassuring but distressing for the child. Training parents and medical caregivers in distracting the child is more beneficial.