What do you tell children when a parent has been diagnosed with a serious illness? What should you do? What should you talk about? When do you tell them? What words should you use?

This book provides parents and other caregivers with suggestions on how to approach children with the information that their parent is seriously ill. There are many examples of how and what to say to children and teens.

The author reviews a child’s understanding and response to serious illness at different stages of development. She provides suggestions of how adults may help children understand their feelings and cope with the daily disruptions the illness has created.

The book also includes chapters on what to do when a parent is dying and what to do when a parent dies. Also included is a list of books and other resources for parents and children who want to read further on the subject.

Joan Hamilton, RN, BN, MSc(A) was a clinical nurse specialist in a cancer care at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She worked with cancer patients and their families for over 30 years.

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