As your child becomes old enough to spend more time with friends, consider adding some extra communication time to your relationship.

Do you know how he describes his hemophilia to his friends? Do you know which friends know about it and which don't? While some children are comfortable talking about their hemophilia, others prefer to remain private.

To help him navigate the social aspects and decisions of his life, stay connected to how your child feels and how he reacts to different pressures:

• Talk to him about how he'll handle participation in approved sports and activities. When he is with friends and new peers, it may be difficult for him to say "no" to danger.
• Encourage him to role play with you, practicing how he'll react and what he'll say. Discuss different scenarios with him and what the potential reactions and outcomes could be.
• As part of empowering him to be responsible for his healthcare, encourage him to recognize the early signs of bleeding and to report bleeds to adults. Be sure he understands the importance of treating bleeds and the effect on his long-term health.
• Boost His Hemophilia IQ to improve the likelihood he'll react to situations in a manner consistent with his diagnosis and treatment.