Each child responds in his or her own way to the news of a parent’s cancer diagnosis. Children may experience feelings of disbelief, anger, uncertainty, guilt, fear, and/or worry. You know your child better than anyone else. You can expect your child to react in ways typical his or her age, personality and past behavior. Upon hearing the news, your child may:
Worry that cancer is contagious or that they can “catch” it.
Feel guilty or wonder if they did something to cause the cancer.
Become overly clingy or attention-seeking.
Feel sorry for themselves or resentful of the situation.
Withdraw from you to protect themselves.
Act out by behaving badly, whining or complaining.
Experience loss of appetite, stomach aches, headaches or difficulty sleeping.
Exhibit changes in school performance.
How your child reacts to your cancer diagnosis will depend on how you and others handle the situation. The way you present the information, including your words and emotions, will play an important part in how your child copes with the news.