Supporting a child with a sick parent

Kim Hamer, Widow & Founder of Exactly What They Need, shares advice on how to best support and help a child dealing with a sick parent
How To Support A Child With A Sick Parent
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Supporting a child with a sick parent

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Children dealing with sick parents is a very difficult subject. It often gets glossed over. There's a couple things you can do. The first thing is acknowledge what's going on in the child's life. The second thing is, if you've had a similar experience, share it with the child. If they are an older child, give them your phone number and say that you are willing to listen. Make sure you listen. You are not there to fix. The last thing you can do is give the child a place to escape. Just like someone in crisis likes to escape, the children need to escape. Don't go overboard. When the child comes to your house, don't ask them to talk about their parent. Don't ask them to talk about their feelings. Treat them like a normal, everyday child.

Kim Hamer, Widow & Founder of Exactly What They Need, shares advice on how to best support and help a child dealing with a sick parent

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Kim Hamer

100 Acts of Love: A Girlfriend's Guide to Loving A Friend Through Cancer or Loss

Kim Hamer is the author of 100 Acts of Love: A Girlfriend's Guide to Loving Your Friend through Cancer or Loss, a modern, essential how-to guide offering tips on what to say (and NOT to say), and specific ways to support and love a friend, co-worker or family member who is coping with cancer, loss or any crisis.

Kim Hamer became a widow after her 44-year old husband lost his life to cancer. Their children were 12, 9 and 7 at the time. Before and after her husband’s death, friends and supporters came up with unique, creative and simple ways to help her family. She called them “acts of love” because it’s what they felt like.

Her book is a fun, straightforward compilation of many of those acts. The mission of “100 Acts of Love” is to help everyone understand and embrace their importance in the lives of their friend in crisis and to provide the tools and courage needed to support them in a truly meaningful and helpful way.

More Parenting Videos from Kim Hamer >
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