Although headache is one of the most common somatic complaints of children and adolescents, little is known about its phenomenology. Pediatric headache diagnosis and implications for treatment are often based on parental reports of consequent pain behaviors. Information on how parents assess and respond to children's headache activity is needed. This study identified how children with chronic, recurrent nonmalignant headaches communicated their headache occurrences to their mothers and how mothers responded to suspected headache occurrences. Specific guidelines are offered to assist nurses in the behavioral assessment and management of chronic pediatric headaches.