If you have a young child For some families, talking about serious issues is very hard. Yet experts say to tell the truth about cancer. Children can cope with what they know — it’s harder to cope with what they imagine in their heads. Here are some tips for talking with children about cancer: l Start with what cancer is — this teaches children that they did not cause the melanoma, they don’t have to fix it and that people cannot “catch” it from another person. l Tell them the truth, and don’t guarantee a certain outcome of the cancer.
l Tell them how you are feeling and what you are thinking. l Tell them it is okay to be upset, angry, scared or sad. l Reassure them that you will tell them if the cancer gets better or worse. l Assure them that no matter what, they will always be taken care of and be okay.
As you’re having the conversation: l Try not to over-explain things because you feel nervous — follow the child’s lead, they will ask for or show you what they need. l Correct any incorrect information. l Be prepared to talk about death if they ask. l Allow them to express their feelings in different ways: — Younger children may prefer to draw a picture or play with a doll to express their feelings. — Teens may ask hard questions that you don’t have answers to. Be honest about what you don’t know.
Lastly, it helps to keep normal routines for children, as much as you can.
35
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator