WHY ENGAGE SERIOUSLY SICK KIDS WITH ACTIVITIES?

One of the toughest things for parents, when a child is seriously sick, is to focus on engaging the child in activities. Why? We tend to think that children can't and shouldn't do anything when ill. They should conserve their energy and just focus on getting better.

But what happens to children who are seriously ill, especially if it's cancer and the outcome is uncertain? Do we send them the wrong message by putting learning and fun aside?

What do children need to hear when they have a serious illness? That there is nothing we can do to help them? That they are destined to lie in bed and watch TV all day long or play video games? The trouble with that is they aren't socializing in a meaningful way.

Children who are ill over a long period of time can sometimes lose their emotional connections to family members. Their illness and medical treatments can create a serious sense of isolation and abandonment for them. This can result in attachment disorder.

Even children who are confined to bed can still connect with family through games, play, and projects. You can still play "Simon Says" with your child, even if you just limit movement to the fingers, hands, and face. Your child can still play on his or her bed. Even sick children can create projects, books, and drawings. But to do that, they need parents that are willing to make the effort.

Sometimes parents get so bogged down by what cancer does to their child, they stop seeing what their child can do for himself or herself. If all you can think about is the cancer, you're not living in the moment. You're not empowering your child to play, to learn, and to grow.

If your child's cancer care has him or her stuck in bed, make good things happen. Help your child stay connected emotionally and physically to family and friends. Don't let cancer determine the state of your child's emotional health. Be proactive. Give your child a chance to use this time to forget about what cancer has done and to just have some good, old-fashioned fun.

For more tips on helping your child during cancer, visit:
The Practical Caregiver Guides