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Kmarie36
LIF Adult
Member since 9/10 1449 total posts
Name:
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How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
Please do not move to health board.
A family member was just diagnosed with cancer and the chemo should be starting within the next few weeks. It's going to be intense chemo and side effects are flu like symptoms, lose of hair etc. How do I explain this to my 4 year old? This is someone we see almost every day.
Message edited 9/30/2013 10:37:46 AM.
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Posted 9/30/13 10:36 AM  |
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VikingChick
LIF Adult
Member since 5/11 1024 total posts
Name:
Anna
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How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
I would just be as straightforward as possible, and answer any questions he may have honestly.
Sorry to hear about this.
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| Posted 9/30/13 10:50 AM |
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JRsMaMa
LIF Adult
Member since 11/07 2044 total posts
Name:
Jake's Mama
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Re: How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
Posted by anskiv
I would just be as straightforward as possible, and answer any questions he may have honestly.
Sorry to hear about this.
I agree. My dad had major surgery this summer and he is DS caregiver. DS is only 2 but in the weeks leading up to the surgery we all explained as best we could that his nonno (Italian for grandpa) was sick and would have a boo boo and that he needed to be careful when hugging or kissing him. With a 4 year old I would think their ability to understand would be better. Still use words they can understand but I would be as honest as possible.
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| Posted 9/30/13 11:37 AM |
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LI2VA
Love my life!!
Member since 11/05 3125 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
I would be as honest as possible without it being scary
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| Posted 9/30/13 11:56 AM |
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Kmarie36
LIF Adult
Member since 9/10 1449 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
Ok thanks girls.
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| Posted 9/30/13 3:40 PM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
I agree w the others to be as honest as possible without making it sound too scary. I am so sorry you are going through this. Stay stong!
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| Posted 9/30/13 3:44 PM |
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Kmarie36
LIF Adult
Member since 9/10 1449 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
Posted by forevermylilgirls
I agree w the others to be as honest as possible without making it sound too scary. I am so sorry you are going through this. Stay stong!
XO call you this week
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| Posted 9/30/13 9:19 PM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
We have been dealing with this for over a year now. My father has lung cancer. When he was first diagnosed, we told DD who just turned 3 at the time, that Pop-Pop had a boo-boo on his lung and we had to pray for him. (She prays for his boo-boo every night! ). When he was going through chemo. and radiation, we told her that the medicine for Pop-Pop's boo-boo made his hair fall out. (She then prayed for his hair to grow back! lol)
His hair has grown back and since he is not currently undergoing treatments, he seems more like himself to her, so it hasn't been an issue. When she is over my parents' house and my Dad is sleeping during the day, I'll tell her its because Pop-Pop's boo boo makes him tired sometimes.
This has worked for me. In the probable event his condition worsens, I will have to deal with it then, but this simple explanation has worked thus far. DD is very smart and yet, seems comfortable with how we've handled it so far. I have not mentioned the word cancer, or death to her (as in my father dying, which unfortunately, is a very real possibility).
Good luck to you and your family.
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| Posted 9/30/13 9:38 PM |
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Kmarie36
LIF Adult
Member since 9/10 1449 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to explain to kids that a family member is sick?
Posted by donegal419
We have been dealing with this for over a year now. My father has lung cancer. When he was first diagnosed, we told DD who just turned 3 at the time, that Pop-Pop had a boo-boo on his lung and we had to pray for him. (She prays for his boo-boo every night! ). When he was going through chemo. and radiation, we told her that the medicine for Pop-Pop's boo-boo made his hair fall out. (She then prayed for his hair to grow back! lol)
His hair has grown back and since he is not currently undergoing treatments, he seems more like himself to her, so it hasn't been an issue. When she is over my parents' house and my Dad is sleeping during the day, I'll tell her its because Pop-Pop's boo boo makes him tired sometimes.
This has worked for me. In the probable event his condition worsens, I will have to deal with it then, but this simple explanation has worked thus far. DD is very smart and yet, seems comfortable with how we've handled it so far. I have not mentioned the word cancer, or death to her (as in my father dying, which unfortunately, is a very real possibility).
Good luck to you and your family.
 Thank you. This helped.
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| Posted 10/1/13 8:29 PM |
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