Strategies of Normalization Used by Parents of Chronically Ill School Age Children

The concept of normalization is examined in relation to chronically ill children. From this conceptual base, the responses of 365 parents in a survey of chronically ill children's use of time out of school, were analyzed to determine the normalization strategies used pertaining to the life of the child and family. This article discusses the appropriateness and importance of normalization, and presents implications for the professional nurse working with families of chronically ill children.