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Emotional support for your grandchild diagnosed with cancer
Helpful approaches on how to emotionally support your grandchild diagnosed with cancer:
Be present and consistent. Your calm, loving presence gives a sense of stability. Even small gestures like reading a book, playing a game, or just sitting nearby can comfort them.
Follow their lead. Let the child ask questions or bring up their feelings when they want to. Answer simply and honestly, using words they can understand. If you don’t know an answer, it’s okay to say so. This is also a new and unknown journey for you.
Keep normalcy where possible. Maintain routines and traditions (story time, favourite meals, birthdays, etc.). Familiar routines can give them a sense of control and security.
Encourage feelings and let them know that it is okay to feel sad, scared, or angry. Acknowledge their emotions but let them know that you are there for them.
Respect their treatment process and learn basic information about it (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.) so you can talk about it with understanding. Reassure them that the medical team is helping them get better.
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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 childhood cancer treatment.