As we near the holidays, kids might be seeing more of their older relatives who may have changing health conditions. You don’t want to surprose them with these changes, especially if they haven’t seen them in a while. Here’s some advice about navigating those conversations.
Consult a Professional
You may want to talk to a family therapist or the child’s school counselor about how they think you should approach these conversations. They can guide through age-appropriate ways to talk to your children about difficult topics like illness and even death.
Prepare the Kids for the Changes
Let them know ahead of time that their loved one is moving around differently or needs medication or may act differently. Help them understand that their loved one is still their loved one.
Try to Adjust Activities, But Don’t Stop Them
Try to keep to your traditions as much as you can, or change them to fit your changing family needs. A big, practical way that families do this is by shifting around cooking duties.
What conversations are you having in your family?
Written by Brigid Coffey
