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Here For You

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Helping families cope with serious illness. When a child is facing a serious illness, it's normal for both parents and children to feel afraid. Talking is an important way to help everyone in the family understand and cope with a difficult situation.

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Don't Hold In Your Fears

Children often want to talk openly about illness with their parents, but worry about scaring them. Let your children know that all of their emotions are OK, and that it's best to talk about their feelings instead of holding them inside. Include siblings in these discussions to help them feel supported, too. Together, your family can find strength in one another during challenging times.

Quick Tips for Parents and Caregivers View all tips ›

Tips

#1 Talk About It Try to plan time for your child and her siblings to discuss their feelings in a supportive, safe environment. You can also ask for help from professional counselors who can talk to your children about their feelings on a level the children will be comfortable with. Share Share via email Share via Twitter Share via Facebook
#2 Listen Your child will let you know when he is ready to talk about his feelings and needs. Share Share via email Share via Twitter Share via Facebook
#3 Reassure Reassure your child that you will always do everything you can to keep her comfortable and safe. Share Share via email Share via Twitter Share via Facebook
#4 Reassure Let your child know that he is very loved and very special, and reassure him that you will be OK no matter what he tells you. Share Share via email Share via Twitter Share via Facebook
#5 Reassure Reassure your child that she isn't sick because she did something wrong, and that she isn't being punished. Share Share via email Share via Twitter Share via Facebook
#6 Talk to the Doctor Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor about your child's illness. Talking with your doctor can help you make sure that you fully understand any treatments or tests, and allows you to become an active participant in every aspect of your child's care. Share Share via email Share via Twitter Share via Facebook

About This Project

Here for You is based on the concept of honest, open talk. It encourages children and adults to ask lots of questions, and looks to establish communication in both directions—adults with children, and children with adults. The project was initiated in consultation with pediatric oncology nurses, social workers, child life specialists, pediatricians, and bereaved parents. Sesame Workshop worked with The Center for Advanced Illness Coordinated Care (CAICC) to produce an original DVD. The Here for You bilingual outreach project was unveiled in May 2008 at the 32nd Annual Conference of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers.

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