When any of the family members is diagnosed with cancer, it can be devastating not just for that person but also for the whole family. It is the most difficult journey your sibling can have throughout his or her life. Moreover, it could be challenging to comprehend and cope with the situation. As a parent or caregiver, you may face difficulties while handling their critical situation and it is an emotional as well as financial crisis.
Thereafter, as an adult, you might be struggling to respond properly to handle this overwhelming situation, and talking with children can be a difficult task for you. So read our article to get the proper guide for talking with children when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.
Here Are 10 Tips for Talking with Children When a Loved One Has Cancer:
1. Choose the Right Time and Setting
When you are preparing to discuss cancer and its impact on the body with children, try to choose an appropriate time with a comfortable setting for the conversation and ideal time. Make sure that you have enough time for an uninterrupted discussion so that your words do not affect them undesirably.
Moreover, you should see if the atmosphere is calm and supportive. You can opt for a private space where children should feel safe to express their emotions and ask questions and do not forget that you have to respond to their questions with patience and understanding.
2. Be Honest and Age-Appropriate
When discussing cancer with children, honesty is the best key. You can use age-appropriate language and explanations so that they can understand. Sometimes, younger children may require simple explanations, while older children can handle more complex information. You must know how to talk to them and be careful with using the right set of words.
Avoid using medical jargon or euphemisms that may confuse them. Do not forget that children are capable of sensing things when something is wrong, so why not be truthful when it comes to serious discussions?
3. Encourage Questions and Emotions
Talking with children is a cumbersome process because it is difficult to understand what are they going through when someone is sick in the family. They might be having a multitude of questions and emotions when they learn about a loved one’s cancer. Hence, you should encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings openly with family members and feel responsible to answer them.
Stay patient and attentive when they are processing the information. From their perspective, it is completely normal for children to feel scared, sad, or even angry, at such a critical time, they need reassurance that these emotions are okay and natural.
4. Provide Reassurance and Support
While talking with children about the cancer of your loved one, you should assure them that they will be loved and supported throughout this journey. Do not forget to offer hugs and physical comfort to provide a sense of security. Let them know that their feelings and reactions are valid and accepted and that you are there to listen and help them navigate through this challenging time. Your behaviour towards them should be kind and supportive which will reassure them that they are not alone in facing this situation.
5. Use Visual Aids
For younger children or those who may struggle to grasp the concept of cancer, visual aids such as age-appropriate books, illustrations, or videos can be helpful. These aids can simplify complex ideas and make it easier for children to understand the illness and its impact on their loved ones.
6. Empower Them to Help
If someone from your loved one is going through cancer then try to involve your children in the process of supporting their loved one during their journey. Then, empower them emotionally by giving space to them express their feelings and fears which will show your affection towards them and make them feel loved and cared for.
To make things normal, perform a few activities with them such as making cards or drawings, offering comforting words, or spending quality time together. You can participate in such activities that can help children feel more connected and actively engaged.
7. Maintain Routines
Though cancer creates a dangerous situation for family members, it can bring significant changes to various dynamics of relations and routines. Henceforth, whenever possible, you must try to maintain regular schedules and daily activities for children which will make them feel that it is not a big deal. Maintaining consistency and stability can provide a sense of normalcy during a time of uncertainty.
8. Seek Professional Support
It could be difficult for you to understand how cancer to the loved one is affecting your children so there is nothing wrong to seek professional support to help your children to open up about their feelings. They might be struggling to express their feelings and cope with fear and anxiety. Start seeking a child psychiatrist who can help your children medically and give them a proper prescription.
A therapist or counselor or psychiatrist should be specialized in working with children and families affected by cancer. Moreover, professional guidance can provide children with a safe space to express themselves and develop coping strategies.
9. Be Mindful of Age and Developmental Stages
While talking with children, consider their age as an important factor so that you know what is the proper way to talk to them. It will help them to process the information appropriately and prevent undesirable effects on them. You can tailor your communication to match their developmental stages and younger children need simpler explanations, while teenagers are looking for more detailed and transparent discussions because they are curious and scared at the same time. Be sensitive to their unique needs and emotions.
10. Take Care of Yourself
As a caregiver or parent or sibling, you should never forget to prioritize self-care. You require energy and strength to handle crises at home since cancer can drain your energy, emotions, and money. Start taking care of your mental health and emotional well-being is a prerequisite of everything. Sometimes, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and feel insecure but make sure that you are capable to build your own support system in place for yourself, which gives you strength to support your children.
Conclusion:
Cancer is a dangerous disease and it can be breathtaking to handle the difficulties at personal as well as financial levels. Talking with children is a crucial task to perform as it is important to give them comfort and help them to cope with complicated situations. We hope our article helped you to understand the correct way of talking with children about cancer when one of your family members is diagnosed with it.
Also Read: 7 Myths about Lung Cancer that are not true!
