Getting diagnosed with breast cancer can be a scary thing. There is so much uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis. It is perfectly natural to have the urge to protect your children from this knowledge or not to want to talk with your children about it. However, even young kids can sense when someone they love is stressed or anxious about something. They will most likely pick up on the fact that your routine is different or that something has changed.
Here are some things to think about before talking with your children about your breast cancer:
- When or where will you tell them about your illness or give them updates on your treatment?
- Do they know what cancer is to begin with? Will you have to explain it?
- What sorts of boundaries do you want to keep in place for your own sanity?
- What reassurances would you want if you were a child in this situation?
- How do you think both of your lives will change?
