Parent’s main worries are how will their cancer affect their children’s development & overall childhood experience - they think they are going to ruin their kid’s childhoods.

They also worry about having a lack of energy and how this will impact time spend with their children, and the change in identity as a parent.

Here are a few bits if guidance:

1) It is OK for parents to start the conversation with their children before knowing all the answers. It’s OK to say “I’m not sure”.

2) Following a new diagnosis, parents can be overwhelmed by people in their communities wanting to help. Delegate a person to organise support & info sharing.

3) Begin to shift the expectations around being a parent. Their parenting is going to have to change but good things can come out of this.

4) It’s OK to parent from the sofa or the bed. Children need love and security and that can be done laying down.

5) There are times when showing vulnerability helps children see what is going on. It gives them permission to also feel vulnerable too.