Anonymous
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Q:
How to behave or talk around 8YO when you learn daddy may have life-threatening illness?
We have just learned (from our family doctor and hospital tests) that my husband may have a serious, life-threatening illness (possibly early-stage lung cancer). Until we know for sure what the diagnosis is (and the severity of the situation), we don't want to alert or alarm our 8 year old. Yet, we also doubt we'll be able to hide the many doctor, hospital and lab visits, and it will also be difficult to hide our worries or fears (especially if the preliminary diagnosis turns out to be true, or if his conditions worsens as we wait for more test results). This is also going to bring financial burden upon our family, as his insurance is minimal and the hospital fees are expected to be expensive.
How do we go about this situation without scaring or worrying our daughter? She does know there is something wrong with daddy, but she doesn't know all that we know, and thinks he just has a cold or something minor like that.
How to manage all this stress and worry, and be good parents at the same time? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
In Topics:
Children and stress, Medical problems, Communicating with my child (The tough talks)
How do we go about this situation without scaring or worrying our daughter? She does know there is something wrong with daddy, but she doesn't know all that we know, and thinks he just has a cold or something minor like that.
How to manage all this stress and worry, and be good parents at the same time? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
> 60 days ago
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