Community Corner
Moms Talk: When Mom's Sick
This week, we touch on a more serious subject that many mothers can relate to.
QUESTION: I was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago. My prognosis is good, but my husband and I are both in shock, and I am wondering how to best talk about this with my children, ages 5, 7 and 10. I don't want to scare them!
ANSWER: This is undoubtedly a scary time for all of you. Your children will soon notice many physical changes in you as you undergo treatment, so the sooner you talk about it with them, the better. I recommend the book "Nowhere Hair" by Sue Glader, a cancer survivor. The book involves a young girl who watches her mother's hair disappear as she goes through cancer treatments. The book addresses the fear, anxiety and sadness that children experience, but it's also written in a lighthearted way and sprinkled with humor. You don't need to use scary medical terms your children don't understand, but they may have many questions, and you should feel free to answer them as honestly as you can. Remind them that you are all going to go through this together, that you will get through it and that you will be a closer family in the end.
