Hi everyone đź‘‹ I'm 34 years old and recently diagnosed. About to start chemotherapy and want to find some books or resources to help me talk to my young kids about it when I start. I think my 4 year old daughter is going to be particularly shaken by the hair loss and visible impacts of chemo. Any recommendations?
youngmum​ Thankyou for starting the conversation. Acknowledge it must be difficult navigating these conversations with your young daughter.
While we wait for others to share their own lived experience, we thought you may find the below resources useful:
Talking to Children About Your Diagnosis This article provides guidance on how to talk to children of different ages about a breast cancer diagnosis. It includes tips on how to reassure them, explain the illness in age-appropriate ways, and recognize signs of distress in children Read the article here
Telling Your Children Offers practical advice on how to approach the conversation with children, what to say, and what to avoid. It also includes insights from professionals and other mothers who have gone through similar experiences Read the article here
Mummy’s Wish
Mummy’s Wish 1800 257 600 is a wonderful Australian charity that provides practical and emotional support to mothers diagnosed with cancer who have children under the age of 13. They offer many different support and resources, several examples below:
Share the Kindness https://sharethekindness.org.au/about-us/ NFP organisation based in QLD that make unique handmade dolls to help kids understand hair loss as a result of chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Please feel free to contact BCNA's Helpline 1800 500 258 if we can assist further.
