A cancer diagnosis can be very difficult for a family to navigate. It can be especially difficult to tell your child that their loved one has terminal cancer. That said, there are many ways to support your children as they face the challenge of a sick loved one. Learn more about tips you can use when talking to your children about cancer.
Supporting a Child Whose Loved One Has Cancer
Having a loved one who has cancer can flip a child’s world upside down. Most times, this situation is a child’s first time experiencing illness and death.
It is important to provide your child with the support they need during this difficult time. Taking the time to teach your child healthy coping mechanisms and answer any questions they may have about cancer can help them get through this new and challenging experience.
How to Tell a Child That a Family Member Has Cancer
The thought of explaining that a loved one has cancer can be very overwhelming and devastating. Telling your children that their loved one is ill can be very difficult and emotional for everyone involved.
Your child may be upset, angry, confused, or frustrated when they find out that their loved one is sick. Mentally preparing yourself for your child having all these different emotions can help you navigate this topic in a healthy and understanding way.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the discussion:
Be ready to answer any questions your child may have about illness and death.
Be honest and transparent about death. Use the words “cancer” or “dying” and avoid euphemisms so your child does not get confused or blindsided by technical terms when speaking to others.
Try to stay calm, but don’t be afraid to show emotion — it will show your children that it is okay to be sad.
Ensure your child knows that they are not to blame for their loved one becoming ill.
Make sure to go at your child’s pace, so as not to overwhelm them with information.
Resources to Help You Support Your Child
Grieving the loss of a loved one can cause a lot of sorrow and stress for your child. One of the best ways to support your children is to promote healthy coping mechanisms. This can help your children properly grieve while taking care of their own mental health.
There are many ways to relieve stress and provide emotional support to children who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Support Groups
Support groups are a great way to meet with other families in similar situations. These groups create a community focused on supporting children during the grieving process.
Online Forums
Online forums are easily accessible if you are unable to attend support group events. Forums act as a platform for millions of people to give advice on how to emotionally support your children during this hard time in the comfort of your own home.
Some of these online resources include:
Children’s Bereavement Center provides free online articles and videos for children to learn coping mechanisms and relate to other children in similar situations.
Grieving.com has forums available for children of all ages that are dealing with the death of a loved one.
The Dougy Center based in Portland, OR has a multitude of online activities and resources for children that are grieving.
Therapy
Therapy is another great coping mechanism for grieving the illness and death of a family member. Individual and/or group therapy can help children express their emotions in a healthy environment.
Quality Time
Spending quality time with family members is a great coping mechanism when losing a loved one to cancer. Encouraging your child to relive fond memories of loved ones who have passed and engaging in activities they loved can help keep their memory alive.
Get More Support For Your Family Today
It is important to give your child the coping resources they need to get through this devastating time in their lives. Having an open, honest, and supportive conversation about cancer can help your child understand what is happening to their loved one.
Losing a loved one to cancer can greatly affect every member of your family. Download our free Self-Care for Caregivers Guide to learn about preventing burnout through stress reduction techniques while caring for your loved one.
