Frankly-Speaking-About-Cancer-What-Do-I-Tell-the-Kids

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Infancy-Toddlerhood WHAT CHILDREN UNDERSTAND COMMON BEHAVIORS & FEELINGS No understanding of cancer More tantrums than usual Able to sense changes in day-to-day routines Aware of changes in behavior and feelings of those around them Changes in eating and sleeping habits Separation anxiety: Difficulty separating from parents/caregivers (clingy) 0-2 YEARS “Scribbles” by 2-year-old boy whose grandfather is living with cancer 4 FRANKLY SPEAKING ABOUT CANCER / WHAT DO I TELL THE KIDS?
Preschool WHAT CHILDREN UNDERSTAND Generally have some understanding of a simple illness like a cold, but may not have any experience with, or understanding of, a serious illness like cancer “Magical thinking”: Thinking they did something to cause cancer (e.g., “I wouldn’t go to sleep and kept Mommy awake. She was very tired and I think I made her sick.”) 3-5 YEARS COMMON BEHAVIORS & FEELINGS Regression: Acting younger than they are (e.g., suddenly wetting the bed even if they have been potty trained) Short and intense bursts of emotion Asking the same questions about cancer over and over again Separation anxiety: Difficulty separating from parents/caregivers (clingy) Artwork by 5-year-old boy whose father is living with cancer Playing or acting out themes related to doctors, sickness, etc. CHAPTER 1 / WHAT KIDS UNDERSTAND AND THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE 5
Page 1 and 2: What Do I Tell the Kids? SPOTLIGHT
Page 3 and 4: Introduction Cancer affects a famil
Page 5: What Kids Understand and Things You
Page 9 and 10: Middle School Age WHAT CHILDREN UND
Page 11 and 12: Talking About Cancer Talking with y
Page 13 and 14: TIMING YOUR CONVERSATION LANGUAGE Y
Page 15 and 16: Some Key Points Here are some thing
Page 17 and 18: ANSWERING YOUR CHILD’S QUESTIONS
Page 19 and 20: know someone who has died from canc
Page 21 and 22: TIPS AND TOOLS FOR HELPING YOUR CHI
Page 23 and 24: Outside Support Seeking outside sup
Page 25 and 26: RESOURCES CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
Page 27 and 28: CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY The missio

Frankly-Speaking-About-Cancer-What-Do-I-Tell-the-Kids

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