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Tips for keeping the family connected during cancer
A child’s cancer diagnosis can disrupt the family in many ways. Here are some ideas to help keep your family connected during these challenging times.
A child’s cancer diagnosis can disrupt the family in many ways. Any normal routines will change and if a family has more than one child, the other children’s routines will also be disrupted.
The family dynamics can shift and often, families spend more time apart during treatment than together. Finding ways to spend time together can be challenging; your time may be limited, you may be feeling tired, stressed, overwhelmed and still processing the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Looking at small windows of time to spend with family is important even when roles and responsibilities in the family change.
Having fun and laughing together may seem like the furthest thing from your mind but for everyone’s mental and emotional wellbeing, relaxing and enjoying quality time together is one way to keep families connected, feeling supported and a chance to share and express how they’re feeling. This may be a confusing and scary time for you and the children in your family. Engaging in open communication, listening and acknowledging feelings can help everyone feel loved and supported.
During treatment
The family could be split up with one parent staying at the hospital with their child and the other parent looking after the other children. If your child in hospital feels well enough, here are some tips on keeping the family connected and communicating during cancer treatment:
Post treatment
Once your child is back home post treatment or at home for outpatient treatment, things may slowly start to get back to the ‘new normal’. Everyone’s new normal is different, it’s what works for your family. Depending on your child’s energy levels, here are some ideas for some family fun:
Doing things together as a family is important. Cancer treatments can last for months or even years, so implementing lifestyle changes as they come, can help to build resilience, strength and strong communication where everyone in family unit is connected and feels supported.
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Why it can be hard to ask for help
If you are closely connected with or know a family whose child has been diagnosed with cancer, you may want to offer your help and support. There is a big difference in how comfortable people feel about offering help and asking for help.
Why it can be hard to ask for help
If you are closely connected with or know a family whose child has been diagnosed with cancer, you may want to offer your help and support. There is a big difference in how comfortable people feel about offering help and asking for help.
