How hard will it be for my child, now that I’ve been diagnosed with cancer and need treatment?
It is common to feel overwhelmed by hearing you have cancer. Many parents imagine that their children will experience a magnified version of their own reaction; however, children are usually more resilient than parents imagine. Each child copes with a parent’s illness according to her phase of development, temperament, and preexisting coping style. Children take coping cues from their parents, so get the support you need. To help your child cope well, learn about how children at your child’s developmental stage usually understand an illness, taking into consideration your child’s temperament and what approaches typically work best for her when facing new situations. Organize your support system and facilitate open communication with your child.
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