It's always the first, unexpected injury with a child that teaches us that we need to be at least somewhat prepared for the next injury. I'll never forget the time my toddler ran into the countertop corner on a Sunday afternoon that resulted in an emergency room visit to treat a concussion, or the time my other toddler decided to spin in circles as kids like to do (the type of movement that makes us adults nauseous) only to end up spinning out of control and plunging into a metal bench - our first plastic surgery experience to repair a tear from a lip to a nose.

So, what can you expect? You can expect that unexpected things will happen. What can you do? Well, not much to prevent these things from happening, but you can take measures to help you maintain your composure during these times of chaos as follows:

1. Locate the closest emergency room. Know the following and know how to get to each one: (1) your closest emergency room, (2) your closest urgent care center and (3) your family doctor's office. If you've recently relocated to a new area, ask neighbors for information and referrals.

2. Store your family's healthcare information in one spot. With multiple children and us aging adults, it becomes paramount to become somewhat organized in respect to keeping the family's healthcare information together. How you choose to handle this depends on your style. Following are ideas I've heard of from friends ranging from traditionalists to techies to the annoying ultra-prepared: (1) Organize a binder with your health records for each family member, (2) Store health information online with a secure, online health portfolio, or (3) Create an index card or carry a portable USB drive in your purse that contains a listing of relevant records such as immunizations, allergies and medications.

3. Familiarize yourself with your insurance. OK, so no one has time to read an insurance booklet from beginning to end (except perhaps the aforementioned annoying ultra-prepared folks), but it helps to peruse it enough to understand the highlights. Following are a few key questions to answer: (1) Is the doctor I wish to see on my plan or will I need to pay extra to go outside of my plan?; (2) What is my co-pay for a well visit versus a specialist visit versus urgent care?; and (3) How much is my deductible?

4. Attempt to schedule appointments early. Doctors' offices book appointments for well visits months in advance. Following are a few tips for contending with this: (1) Schedule your children with back-to-back appointments or ask if they can be seen at the same time, (2) Mark appointments down on your calendar as soon as possible because the little cards the office gives you may be found crumpled up at the bottom of your purse after you've missed the appointments, and (3) If you must, reschedule appointments as soon as possible.

5. Remember yourself. Having children shifts the focus from "you" to "them." As such, it is important to not only remember their crucial appointments but to remember yours as well. Remember that they are reliant on you and, as such, it is important to take care of yourself. Be sure to stay on top of your annual well visits, pap tests and mammograms. Following are a few scheduling tips: (1) Schedule your appointments when your kids are in school or when your husband or babysitter can cover for you (managing a toddler during a pap test is something less than desired) and (2) Attempt to exercise, eat healthy and actually sleep!

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At http://www.myguidesusa.com you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com

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