The Mesothelioma Center's November Support Group - Mesothelioma Changes Relationships and Roles
The Mesothelioma Center's July Support Group - Talking to Children About Mesothelioma
-
Upload
the-mesothelioma-center-at-asbestoscom -
Category
Health & Medicine
-
view
245 -
download
1
description
Transcript of The Mesothelioma Center's July Support Group - Talking to Children About Mesothelioma
Supporting Children and Grandchildren When You Have
Cancer
Dana Nolan MS, LMHC, NCCLicensed Mental Health Counselor
The Times They Are a-Changin’
Historical perspective: Paternalistic
What experts in child psychology now know
Resources available
(800) 615-2270
Basics of Supporting Children
Honest, timely and ongoing communication
Age-appropriate information and support Minimize changes to daily family routine Share the responsibility of providing
support Allow children to cope as individuals Involve children in treatment activities
(800) 615-2270
Education and Communication
The hardest part… Why does this part scare
parents and grandparents so much?
Age-appropriate knowledge is protective
Trust-building
(800) 615-2270
Basics of Educating Children About Cancer
Children Under age 2: Can’t understand concept of cancer Distressed by disruption of routine Separation/attachment issues
Children ages 2-7: Use simple terms like “good” and “bad” cells Reassure children their behavior did not cause the cancer
and that disease isn’t contagious Explain treatment in terms of how it will affect them and
their routine
(800) 615-2270
Basics of Educating Children About Cancer (con’t.)
Children ages 7-12: Able to understand more about causes and effects of serious
illness, but keep explanations simple
Children ages 12+: Capable of abstract thought Can understand more in depth explanations May want to know details and research on their own
(800) 615-2270
Pictures and Hands-OnWhen explaining treatment information to children,
pictures/illustrations or a tour of the treatment facility will help them understand.
For younger children, drawing pictures (draw granddad with no hair) helps them to express their thoughts/feelings about the situation.
If they are interested in seeing medication port, radiation treatment site, scars, feeding tube – let them. But don’t push.
(800) 615-2270
(800) 615-2270
Timing and Setting of Communication
Remember your own experience first learning about your diagnosis
The younger the child, the shorter the talk
Don’t just communicate facts of cancer, add emotions and thoughts
(800) 615-2270
Communication During and After Treatment
Children’s thoughts/feelings change just as ours do throughout the cancer experience
Normalize thoughts and feelings of sadness, anger, joy, fear and frustration
Continually offer children of all ages opportunity to talk or ask questions. They will eventually take you up on it!
(800) 615-2270
Minimize Changes to Daily Routine
Try to keep children's school and activity schedules as normal as possible. It keeps them balanced
Let teacher know that child has a family member with cancer
Chores/responsibilities/consequences still apply
(800) 615-2270
Share the Care
“Let me know if there is anything I can do…” Transport children to school/activities Organize play dates/sleepovers Meals brought to home Ask family members/friends to offer children opportunity to
talk/vent, but not pressure them to talk
(800) 615-2270
Children Coping as Individuals
Quiet children can become more silent Lively children can become more active Anxious children can become more restless, etc….
(800) 615-2270
When Do We Need Extra Help?
Children’s (and teenager’s) behaviors are better indicators than their words
“You seem (sad, worried, lonely, angry, etc.) lately…can you tell me what is going on?”
It may not have to do with cancer
(800) 615-2270
Resources Available for Supporting Children
Counseling Tour of a Facility See resource list for
books, websites and organizations that can help!
(800) 615-2270
Books/Websites That Help“My Daddy’s Cancer: An interactive book for children”
by C. Cohen
“What IS Cancer anyway? Explaining cancer to children of all ages” by Barkley and Eve Series
“Can I still kiss you?”by N. Russell
“When a parent has cancer: A guide to caring for your children”
by W. Halpern
http://www.cancercare.org/publications/49-helping_children_understand_cancer_talking_to_your_kids_about_your
_diagnosis
(800) 615-2270
Contact Information
1-800-615-2270
(800) 615-2270