Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog
Receiving the news that you or a loved one has mesothelioma can be shocking and distressing. It can be difficult for a family to navigate a mesothelioma diagnosis. This is especially true if there are children in the family. It can be difficult to tell children about a mesothelioma diagnosis. Often, parents struggle to tell their children that they or another family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Yet, not having a conversation about mesothelioma with children can leave them experiencing a wide array of negative feelings, such as anxiety and confusion. It can leave them unable to cope. Parents must take the time to talk to their children about their or another family member’s mesothelioma diagnosis. Talking about mesothelioma with children can help them process their feelings. It can help them cope. However, we understand that discussing mesothelioma with children can be difficult. In this article, we share some tips for discussing mesothelioma with children.
How a Parent’s or Another Family Member’s Mesothelioma Can Affect Children
A parent’s or another family member’s mesothelioma diagnosis can affect children emotionally, psychologically, and even academically. The following are some of the ways children may be affected by a parent’s or another family member’s mesothelioma diagnosis;
- Emotional distress, including experiencing feelings of sadness, anger, fear, confusion, and anxiety. Children may worry about their loved one’s health and future and struggle to understand why this is happening.
- Poor academic performance due to the inability to concentrate in school
- A mesothelioma diagnosis can lead to the loss of normalcy and stability
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Detachment
- Excessive crying
- Aggressive or destructive behavior
Tips for Talking About Mesothelioma With Children
It may not be easy to talk about such a complicated topic with children, but it is vital that parents find the courage to have these conversations. Parents need to keep in mind that if they do not have these conversations with their children, other people may take the lead in discussing the matter and may do so in a manner that does more harm than good. Children may end up being misinformed. According to the American Cancer Society, the following are the facts about a family member’s cancer that children should be told about;
- Name of the cancer (mesothelioma in this case)
- Part of the body where the illness began
- How life might change
- Treatment overview
The following are some tips for talking about mesothelioma with children;
- Find a quiet and comfortable place for having the conversation to avoid distractions
- Use age-appropriate language. For example, parents should not use complex medical explanations when talking to young children to avoid confusion.
- Allow children to share their feelings and remind them that it is okay for them to feel the way they feel
- Assure young children that the illness is not their fault
- Share more facts with teenagers as they can handle more detailed facts about the situation. However, ensure you allow teenagers time to process news/information.
- Be honest while at the same time remaining positive and reassuring. Do not mislead children.
- Encourage children to come to you whenever they have questions or want to talk
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.