Page 93 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook
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•	Frequent misunderstandings                               Contact a nonprofit cancer organization for refer-
      or disagreements                                     rals to good programs for children and teens. Many
                                                           are free for families affected by cancer.
    •	Use of criticism, sarcasm or name calling
    •	Fewer expressions of love and affection                  Camp Kesem is a free summer camp for kids
    •	Not wanting to ask for needed help or support        with a parent who has (or has had) cancer. The one-
    •	Feeling hurt by things a loved one says or does      week camps give kids, ages 6–13, a chance to have
    •	Physical and emotional withdrawal by you or          fun and just be kids. Camp Kesem provides the extra
     your loved one                                        support and attention that the kids need. There are
                                                           nearly 40 chapters in more than 20 states. To learn
STARTING A NEW RELATIONSHIP                                more, visit campkesem.org or call 734.657.0057.

If you are single, you may have concerns about start-          CureSearch.org is a free online resource for
ing new relationships during cancer treatment. You         families dealing with children’s cancer. This website
may worry that some people will not know how to            provides information to help families learn about
handle the situation. There might be questions             treatments and how to manage the emotions that
about how fair it is to become involved with some-         come with caring for a child with cancer.
one new at this time in your life. Keep in mind that
no one can know what will happen in the future in              The LIVESTRONG at School program can
any relationship.                                          help children and their friends and loved ones deal
                                                           with cancer. Go online to LIVESTRONG.org/what-
    You will have to decide how much to share              we-do/program/livestrong-at-school to find free les-
about your diagnosis with each person in your life.        son plans for teachers. The lessons teach children
If you are not sure what to say, talk with a friend or a   (K–12) about cancer in a way that is hopeful and
counselor about how you feel. Chances are that oth-        inspiring. They include lessons, videos and activities
ers will be understanding and accepting.                   that were prepared for different ages.

CHILDREN AND TEENS                                             If a child has cancer, returning to school can
                                                           build hope for the child and his or her loved ones.
Children and teens are likely to need help dealing         School can be a big part of feeling normal and pro-
with the wide range of emotions that come with             ductive. Yet going back to the classroom can also
cancer including sadness and fear. Talking openly          bring new challenges to families whose main focus
with them about cancer and treatment can help              has been getting through treatment. The Founda-
lessen stress. Allow them to continue to ask ques-         tion and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have
tions and talk about the experience. Give the child        worked together to create resources that address
or teen permission to ask you about your feelings as       the educational needs of children and adolescents
well. A child’s age and personality will influence how     with cancer.
often they will want to talk. Provide clear and con-
crete information. Reassure the child that his or her                             Find ways to help children
needs will continue to be met. Children and teens                                 and teens deal with cancer:
need to feel that it is okay to continue with their
activities and interests.                                                           	 Talk openly about the disease with children
                                                                                        and teens.
    Help children discuss and express feelings in a
variety of ways. This may include working with art,                                 	 Provide concrete information that is
music or writing. Physical activity can also help release                               appropriate for the child’s age.
emotional tension. Allowing them to continue life in
as normal a manner as possible will be helpful.                                     	 Help the child discuss and express his
                                                                                        or her feelings.
    Sometimes a child needs extra support. A fam-
ily member, trusted friend or teacher may be able to                                	 Assure the child that he or she can continue
help. If the child or teen is very distressed, seek the                                 to live life as normally as possible.
guidance of a licensed social worker, child psycholo-
gist or a psychiatrist.

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