Resources
Supporting Siblings: Helping brothers and sisters cope with childhood cancer
For children, it can be scary and upsetting watching the effects of cancer treatment for their sibling and seeing them in pain and in and out of hospital.
A cancer diagnosis causes big changes in the lives of children.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, there is added pressure put on parents, which often has a significant impact on siblings. They may feel scared or alone, and it can be hard for them, depending on their age, to understand what their sibling with cancer is going through.
For children, it can be scary and upsetting watching the effects of cancer treatment for their sibling and seeing them in pain and in and out of hospital. During treatment, parents can become busy at the hospital or preoccupied with other responsibilities, and siblings may miss out on scheduled activities or be passed around to extended family or friends. Their structure and routine is often greatly disrupted as well.
It can be challenging for parents to find the energy to be there for their other children. Some children will try to hide their feelings to protect parents, while others may seem to be coping at first but will show signs of grief later. Siblings’ grief can show in ways like difficult behaviour or struggling at school.
Siblings can react in different ways when feeling stressed or anxious.
Common responses to stress, siblings may demonstrate
Connect and support siblings
Boundaries are still important – keeping family rules as close to normal as possible can help with stability.
Kite for Kids
The Kite for Kids group is a chance for siblings of a child who has been diagnosed with cancer to meet each other, play fun games, share their experiences, and talk about the big feelings that can come up when you’re facing lots of change. The group includes four 60-minute sessions held on Wednesdays. Each session is filled with activities for them to have fun, share their ideas, and learn new skills.
Some of the activities include:
And lots more!
Your social worker and the Redkite support team can also provide support for siblings.
Redkite provides counselling for children aged 0-18 years who have been affected by cancer. This includes the diagnosed child, their brothers and sisters, friends and relatives.
Request information And support
We’re ready to help. Please call us on 1800 REDKITE (Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm AEST), or fill out the form below.
Related resources
Musical Bonds: Helping siblings cope when a child has cancer
Using music can strengthen family bonds during challenging times. Creating personalised playlists and having family music sessions can also be fun!
Musical Bonds: Helping siblings cope when a child has cancer
Using music can strengthen family bonds during challenging times. Creating personalised playlists and having family music sessions can also be fun!
Your treating team in hospital: Teenagers
Hospitals can be overwhelming and there can be a lot of different doctors and nurses doing different jobs. We give you an overview of who will treat you in hospital.
Your treating team in hospital: Teenagers
Hospitals can be overwhelming and there can be a lot of different doctors and nurses doing different jobs. We give you an overview of who will treat you in hospital.
Staying in the hospital for the first time: Teenagers
When it comes to hospitals, teenagers can be sent to either a children’s hospital or an adult one. We help answer any questions you may have about your hospital stay.
Staying in the hospital for the first time: Teenagers
When it comes to hospitals, teenagers can be sent to either a children’s hospital or an adult one. We help answer any questions you may have about your hospital stay.
Redkite Music Box: Supporting families through music
Redkite Music Box is here to help you and your family while you’re going through treatment, when you are at home, between hospital visits or after treatment is finished.
Redkite Music Box: Supporting families through music
Redkite Music Box is here to help you and your family while you’re going through treatment, when you are at home, between hospital visits or after treatment is finished.
