ESPWhen a child is diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, parents naturally concentrate their attention on the child. Appointments, medications, treatment decisions, insurance, work and the needs of other children can quickly take over everyday life.
But parents need care, too. Taking care of your emotional health isn’t taking attention away from your child. It can help you remain present and better able to handle the challenges your family is facing. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for parents is that they may be hesitant to ask for help. Being a parent does not mean you have all the answers or must have it together all the time. Here are ways to help ease the burden:
• Say yes to specific help. When someone offers to bring dinner, pick up groceries, drive a sibling somewhere or sit with your child while you take a break, let them. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
• Find someone you can talk to. A partner, trusted friend, support group or professional counselor can give you a safe place to express fear, anger, sadness and exhaustion.
• Ask your child’s care team for support. Hospitals and treatment centers may have social workers, child life specialists, counselors or other professionals who support the entire family — not just the patient.
And when you have the opportunity, take the small break. Walk outside. Eat something. Call a friend. Rest. You are an important part of your child’s care team, too.
