Have you been diagnosed with cancer? If you are a mom that’s just received a cancer diagnosis, you might be worried about how to tell your kids. This article will give advice and support on talking to your kids about your cancer diagnosis.

 

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Get Support

Talking to your kids about your cancer diagnosis can be an emotional time. If you are struggling to tell your kids about having cancer, enlist the support of your partner, a loved one or a trusted friend. Try to get support from someone with a close relationship to your kids, if possible. Tell them what you’ll say in advance in case you feel too upset to follow through and need their help.

 

Be Specific And Simple

Try to give your kids specific and simple information about your cancer diagnosis. Some tips that might help you include:

 

• What type of cancer do you have, and where is it?

• How will you seem different from usual (more tired, physical changes)?

• How will it affect their daily lives?

 

Tell them in tiny and digestible chunks so they don’t feel overwhelmed. Reassure them that you still love them, and be honest if you can’t answer their questions.

 

Signpost Older Kids To Resources

If you have teenagers or older kids, they might start doing their own research. Before they search for the mesothelioma survival rate, signpost them to some helpful resources about the specific type of cancer. This can help them feel more informed without unnecessarily alarming them. Older kids might also ask some more in-depth questions, so resources are useful if you don’t know the answers yourself.

 

Give Yourself Time

When you tell your kids depends on your own personal situation. You’re likely to be parenting on empty, so you might want to give yourself time to adjust to your situation or wait for a treatment plan before you discuss it with your kids. Find a time that works best for you and when you feel equipped to handle a conversation with your children. Alternatively, you might want to tell them immediately – whatever works best for your situation.

 

Keep The Setting Relaxed

Try to tell your kids in a quiet and relaxed setting. If possible, tell them well before bedtime to give them time to adjust to the new situation. Choose a comfortable setting and try to be on their level – sitting down – when telling them. You might want to tell them on a weekend, so they have time to come back to you with questions.

 

How To Support Your Child

Sometimes children might feel like your cancer diagnosis is their fault. This is natural. Hugging them and reassuring them is an important part of supporting your child. If you feel upset, don’t be afraid to show them. This can help them feel more confident when talking about their feelings or asking questions.

 

Conclusion

There is no easy way to tell your child about your cancer diagnosis. But by picking a spot they find comfortable, giving yourself time, and enlisting support, you can make the process a little easier. Try to signpost older kids to trusted resources and tell younger kids in an easy-to-understand way. Be kind to yourself and try to be prepared, so you know what you’re going to say.