My child and grandchild are suffering. Is there something I can do?

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family is affected and grandparents often carry a double emotional load, caring for their  grandchild while watching their own child (the parent) suffer and go through the new childhood cancer journey. 

This has a significant  impact on the lives of grandparents and can be emotionally overwhelming. It is difficult to provide comfort while managing your own grief,  intense emotional distress, worry, sadness, anxiety, and a sense of powerlessness. 

Grandparents want to help but sometimes feel  excluded from communications or decision-making. The supportive role of grandparents is significant and can make a huge difference, however there is a fine line between making a positive contribution without overstepping boundaries. 

Siblings of a child diagnosed with cancer often feel confused, left out, or even guilty and are the silent sufferers. Grandparents further play a very special role in helping them feel loved, secure, and understood. 

However, you can always try some helpful approaches to emotionally support your own child and grandchildren, including the siblings of the one diagnosed with cancer.

Read More:

• Cancercare. (n.d.) Helping siblings of a child with cancer. https://www.cancercare.org/publications/50- helping_the_siblings_of_a_child_with_cancer 
• Cancer Research UK.(n.d.). Supporting brothers or sisters. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/childrens-cancer/support-organisations/supporting-brothers-sisters
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Sibling Program. Connecting and Educating Siblings and Those Around Them.  https://www.dana-farber.org/patient-family/support-services/sibling-program 
• Leukaemia Care. (n.d.) Supporting siblings of children with blood cancer. https://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/support-and information/information-about-blood-cancer/living-well-with-leukaemia/support-for-the-family/supporting-siblings-of-children with-blood-cancer/ 
• Teenager Cancer Trust. (n.d.). My brother or sister has cancer. https://www.ejcped.com/article/S2772-610X%2823%2900124-1/fulltext
• Jenny Davies, et.al. 2023. Grandparents’ Experiences of Childhood Cancer: A Qualitative Study.