Resources
Childhood cancer: Feeling out of control
As a parent of a child with cancer, your life changes instantly. The stress and pressure can become all consuming, but it’s normal to feel out of control at times.
When your child is diagnosed with cancer, managing hospital visits and doctors appointments, medications, finances, work and the needs of other family members means there will be times when you feel stressed and overwhelmed.
Even though there are many challenges, big and small, there are still things you can do to feel more in control. Here are some practical strategies parents have shared with us.
Managing time in hospital
Even short hospital stays can test us, and this is one of the places parents tell us they feel least in control.
Here are some of the small, practical things parents shared that helped them gain a sense of control in hospital:
- bringing things from home like favourite toys, blankets and pillows
- keeping a bag packed with essentials by the door, ready for unexpected hospital visits
- listening to music or podcasts while waiting
- taking short breaks outside hospital when you can
- writing down your thoughts and feelings in a notebook
- connecting with a Redkite Social Worker by phone or email to talk through ways to make your hospital stays easier.
Gathering and sharing information
Cancer treatment involves a team of health professionals. Your child’s treatment team may include oncologists, surgeons, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists and social workers, to name a few. Each of these health professionals will have information about your child’s treatment.
Keeping track of this information is one way to create a sense of control. Alongside pen and paper, here are some online tools you might find useful:
- CancerAid: Tracks symptoms, side-effects and appointments, provides medical information and connects you with others going through cancer treatment.
- CanTeen Connect for Parents: An online community where parents of young people with cancer talk with others and receive free professional counselling.
- LivingWith: Tracks mood, pain levels and sleep, updates family and friends, stores treatment information and allows you to ask for support with daily tasks.
- Cancer Terms Dictionary: Contains 1,500 common cancer-related terms, expressions and idioms without the unpredictability of Google search results.
Talking with a Social Worker
At any stage of your child’s treatment, connecting with a Redkite Social Worker can be a way to regain a sense of control. Redkite Social Workers can work with you to find your strengths, sources of support, and strategies to make day-to-day life easier.
Here are some of the ways you can connect during your child’s treatment:
- By phone or email: Sharing your experiences with a social worker by phone or email means you can connect at a time that works for you. Redkite offers phone support Monday to Friday, 9am – 7pm AEST, along with email support.
- In person: You may find that talking with a social worker face-to-face is the best way to work through challenges and find sources of strength. Redkite offers face-to-face counselling in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.
Other sources of support
More information
- If you need immediate crisis support, Lifelineis available 24 hours on
13 11 14 - beyondblueoffer 24-hour support from trained mental health professionals by phone on
1300 22 4636 - The Cancer Council provides information on caring for someone with cancer and information for working carers.
- You can read more about emotions and cancer in our emotional wellbeing section.
Related resources
How to tell your child about their cancer diagnosis
“In conversations with children, don’t make an assumption about how they’re feeling and what they understand. It’s important to let them express themselves in a way that’s right for them.”
How to tell your child about their cancer diagnosis
“In conversations with children, don’t make an assumption about how they’re feeling and what they understand. It’s important to let them express themselves in a way that’s right for them.”
How can siblings of children with cancer be involved in their care?
How can parents involve siblings effectively in the whole care and treatment process without overwhelming them?
How can siblings of children with cancer be involved in their care?
How can parents involve siblings effectively in the whole care and treatment process without overwhelming them?
Your voice matters: We’re here to listen
Welcome to our Redkite Social Work Series, where our social workers share real-life experiences and insights from families navigating the challenges of a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Your voice matters: We’re here to listen
Welcome to our Redkite Social Work Series, where our social workers share real-life experiences and insights from families navigating the challenges of a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Taking care of yourself: Physically, mentally and emotionally
Self-care when your child is in hospital looks different for everyone. It’s about finding what recharges you and gives you energy mentally, physically and emotionally.
Taking care of yourself: Physically, mentally and emotionally
Self-care when your child is in hospital looks different for everyone. It’s about finding what recharges you and gives you energy mentally, physically and emotionally.
