Resources
Childhood cancer: Feeling out of control
As a parent of a child with cancer, it’s normal to feel out of control at times.
Managing medications, appointments, hospital visits, finances, work and the needs of other family members means there will be times when you feel 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.
Even short hospital stays can test us, and this is one of the places parents tell us they feel least in control.
One minute you’re really upset, then you’ve got one doctor going one way, another doctor doing this test, your head’s spinning.
Here are some of the small, practical things parents shared that helped them gain a sense of control in hospital:
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:
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:
More information
Related resources
Telling people your child has cancer
Talking about cancer can be daunting. You may have fears about how people will react, and voicing it can make it feel more real somehow
Telling people your child has cancer
Talking about cancer can be daunting. You may have fears about how people will react, and voicing it can make it feel more real somehow
Other childhood cancer support services
A list of childhood cancer support services in Australia
Other childhood cancer support services
A list of childhood cancer support services in Australia
Managing family relationships
Going through cancer treatment can lead to some very positive experiences in relationships, but the stress can also cause immense strain.
Managing family relationships
Going through cancer treatment can lead to some very positive experiences in relationships, but the stress can also cause immense strain.
How books can help children with their emotions
It can be hard to talk to your children about how their feeling. In this article, our social workers suggest some books that may help your conversations.
How books can help children with their emotions
It can be hard to talk to your children about how their feeling. In this article, our social workers suggest some books that may help your conversations.
