It is natural for adults to try to protect children from painful situations. As much as we might want to shield them from sad experiences, children know when something is wrong. If the truth is kept from children, they will often imagine far worse situations than they may really be facing. The best way to talk to children about an illness in the family is to be open and honest about your own feelings. Encourage them to talk about their fears.
A visit to the bedside is often less scary than the child's imagination.
For more information:
- What should we tell our children?
- How will children respond to critical illness?
- How should we prepare our children?
Last Reviewed: October 24, 2018