| Talking to Your Children about Your Illness EAP EAP Hotline Documents |
It is never easy to talk to your family about a serious illness. When one person in a family is seriously ill it affects everyone.
Both the emotional stress of worrying about the person, and the physical stress of taking care of the person and the family’s
everyday responsibilities can have a devastating effect on family members, especially adolescents and children. If someone in
your family is struggling with a serious illness, here are some suggestions to ease the stress.
• Talk to your child about the illness. Age appropriate books and
materials can help them understand the illness.
• Let the child know the illness is not their fault.
• Reassure the child that they are safe and will be taken care of.
• Let the child visit the sick person.
• Listen to your child’s feelings and talk with them when they
have questions.
• Stay with a normal routine as much as possible.
• Do not put too much responsibility on your child.
• Expect your child’s behavior to change.
• Provide your child all the love and security you can during the illness.
When someone is sick kids know something is going on. They notice the stress and tension in the adults around them, and they
sense that something is wrong. It is important to talk with your children so they know what is going on so they do not have to
“imagine” what is happening. Tell your child what is happening, and what to expect. The more they can understand what is
happening, and know what to expect, the better they can adjust later to the changes illnesses may cause in their lives.
Both the emotional stress of worrying about the person, and the physical stress of taking care of the person and the family’s
everyday responsibilities can have a devastating effect on family members, especially adolescents and children. If someone in
your family is struggling with a serious illness, here are some suggestions to ease the stress.
• Talk to your child about the illness. Age appropriate books and
materials can help them understand the illness.
• Let the child know the illness is not their fault.
• Reassure the child that they are safe and will be taken care of.
• Let the child visit the sick person.
• Listen to your child’s feelings and talk with them when they
have questions.
• Stay with a normal routine as much as possible.
• Do not put too much responsibility on your child.
• Expect your child’s behavior to change.
• Provide your child all the love and security you can during the illness.
When someone is sick kids know something is going on. They notice the stress and tension in the adults around them, and they
sense that something is wrong. It is important to talk with your children so they know what is going on so they do not have to
“imagine” what is happening. Tell your child what is happening, and what to expect. The more they can understand what is
happening, and know what to expect, the better they can adjust later to the changes illnesses may cause in their lives.
| For Further Information: Family Service Inc. (605)336-1974 800-589-1974 fsisd@msn.com |