5 ways to help a sibling of a cancer patient feel important

This story originally appeared on Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

Being a sibling of a childhood cancer patient can be scary and confusing. Family dynamics change, schedules are unpredictable and schoolwork and activities can start to fall through the cracks. Many parents of kids facing cancer express guilt that their healthy children are unintentionally overlooked while they are forced to focus on their sick child’s immediate needs.

There’s no way to consistently balance the attention you give to your children when one is facing cancer, but there are a few concrete ways to make sure their siblings feel important, even during such difficult times.

Keep their routine as consistent as possible

During stressful or scary times, it is especially important for a sibling to feel like they have a routine, and for others to help them keep that routine consistent. If possible, ask a parent of their friend or classmate to drive them to and from activities after school so they can keep that part of their lives steady in the face of uncertainty.

Help celebrate their accomplishments

Often, siblings of childhood cancer patients may try to silently sink into the background to avoid taking attention away from their sick sibling. If you know they’ve done something special, like aced a test or performed in a school play, do a little something to show them they’re noticed and appreciated. Enlist your friends and family to keep a look out for ways to celebrate your child, especially if you know you’ll be particularly busy.

Pre-package some snacks or meals to have around the house

When parents are constantly back and forth from the hospital, food at home can become scarce. If you know you’ll be busy going to and from appointments with your child fighting cancer, try to prepare by packaging some easy-to-grab meals, school lunches or snacks for siblings still at home. If you are feeling strapped for time or your schedule is unpredictable, this is a great task to give to the friends and family who are asking, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Set a time for a parent/sibling date

It’s important for a sibling of a child with cancer to spend some time alone with their parent. If you can, set a time when you can see a movie or cook a meal together, just the two of you. Ask another family member or friend to take over caretaking duties of your child fighting cancer for a few hours so you can give their sibling your full focus. This can help you catch up with what’s going on in their world, and help you both escape the cancer universe for a brief time.

Seek out resources for siblings

Many hospitals or care facilities offer programming and resources specifically for siblings of childhood cancer patients. Children’s Cancer Research Fund supports Sibshops, a program at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital that provides activities, crafts, games and field trips for siblings from kindergarten to 12 years old. Programs like this help siblings meet others in similar situations, and also give them time to just be a kid for a while.

Nobody is perfect, and when childhood cancer gets overwhelming, parents can only do so much. Any tiny ways you can recognize your children for being resilient during this time can make a huge difference. Ask for help where you need it, accept yourself for not being perfect and take things one day at a time.

This story originally appeared on Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

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