One of the scariest parts of your child's hospitalization is entering the conversation with them about their illness. Often times, it's parents that are more scared than the child. Children are going to ask you questions, and they want answers. In this conversation, you want to provide, clear, concrete, developmentally appropriate information about your child's illness. Again, your child's imagination is likely way worse than the reality. Having an open, honest conversation with your child about their illness, will help comfort them, actively involved them in their care, and help support them throughout this stressful time. Having a very serious conversation about your child's illness, if it's progressive, is also very difficult. Please look to your medical team to get advice, support, and how to have this kind of conversation. Your hospital will likely have clinical psychologists and child life specialists who are trained to help find the words for you to say, when you are having a conversation about your child's serious illness. Remember, being involved and knowing what's going on, takes away your child's fears in that situation. Also, having and open and honest conversation about what is going on, will likely help you as the parent, too.