10 Tips for Talking to Your Children about Your Breast Cancer Diagnosis

It is always difficult to talk about your breast cancer, especially with your big child when you are pregnant. However, as a mother, you have the responsibility to tell your children about your condition. If you find it overwhelming, here are 10 tips to make the conversation a bit easier for you.

Plan ahead

Decide what details you are going to say about breast cancer, and how to put it in a way that your children can comprehend. This will help you focus on the important points.

Be direct

Try not to beat around the bush. Tell your children as directly as you can. But make sure they understand that treatments are available and you are taken good care of.

Acknowledge their fears

Tell them you know they are afraid. It is natural to be scared of losing someone you love. It takes a while to be familiar with such bad news, especially for young kids.

Explain to them that your condition is not your fault

You need to explain to them that cancer, just like any other illness, does not just happen to bad people. You do not have cancer because you are punished for your wrongdoings. In addition, let them know that your condition is not contagious. They will not get it for being near you.

Try various methods of explanations

Your kids might not be able to understand breast cancer just by listen to facts and figures. Try to tell them using other means. Kimmie Cares dolls are great to illustrate your condition. They have removable hair, so you can show your kids how cancer may change your appearance.

Assure them that things will go back to normal

Make sure your kids know that they will not have to see their mother in pain forever. Eventually, you will give birth to a beautiful baby, and you will heal. You will get back your long hair and your good shape.

Tell them what to expect

You should try your best to be the happy mother you used to be. However, cancer takes a toll on you. There will be days when pain and fear creep onto you. Tell your kids to expect that.

Let your children know you will still be there for them

Being ill and pregnant does not mean you have to give up taking care of your big children. Even if you cannot run around the house chasing them like before, you can still spend time with them. Try some other activities like reading books or watching movies.

Encourage them to ask questions

Children are curious. So, be prepared for questions. If they seem to be scared, encouraging them to ask questions may help create around you and your children a comfort atmosphere.

Notify their teachers

The new changes in their life may make them more agitated. Their teachers can help you look out for them to see how they are doing.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer may be the most devastating experience for a mother-to-be and the family as well. Cancer may be scary at first. However, it can also have a positive influence on your relationship with your kids.