Dealing with a lifelong and possibly life-threatening illness in your child can have a strong impact on your life as a parent. Allow yourself to grieve about having a child with a heart defect.

• Learn all you can about your child's heart defect.
• Don't blame yourself. You did not cause the heart defect. Many things occurred for the defect to happen. No single factor causes congenital heart defects.
• Don't expect to remember everything that is involved in caring for your child. Ask questions when you don't understand. Ask your doctor for written directions on caring for your child. If directions are written, you can look at them later and call the doctor if you have questions.
• Talk with your health professional to see whether there is a local support group you might join. A support group is a good place to meet other parents who are dealing with similar issues.