Parents of a seriously ill child can experience difficult feelings such as isolation, anxiety and depression. Coupled with the practical stresses of caring for the child and their siblings, this can take a toll on their mental health and ability to cope.
If someone close to you is living in the shadow of serious illness, you may want to help but feel powerless to do so.
Here are some suggestions of how you can help support them:
It is fine not to know what to say. Saying that you don’t know what to say is always better than not keeping in touch at all.
It can take time for a parent to recognise that they could benefit from your help, so offer support more than once and don’t be offended if
Ask if there are any practical tasks you could take on. Helping with housework, meals or school drop offs, can help parents better manage th
Perhaps you can help to research or source options for support?
Sharing updates about a child’s illness can be a way for a parent to keep in touch with friends, but over time the responses may tail off. P
Just telling someone that it is ok to feel how they feel is powerful in itself.
Try some small acts of generosity, like cooking and delivering a meal to the family, or sending a small, thoughtful gift which can really he
It is natural to feel moved by their situation, but it can be draining for the parent if they end up comforting you instead.
Donate to Rainbow Trust so that more families can receive much needed support from a Family Support Worker.
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In England, there are over 86,000 children with life-threatening conditions. Families face the possibility of loss and daily struggles.
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Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker, giving them practical and emotional support.
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We support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents.
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By donating to us, you are helping us support families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
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