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Support Services Children & Adolescents

Talking With Your Child About Your Cancer

To tell or not to tell:

Honesty helps children establish and maintain a bond of trust. The truth, even when it is painful, is vital. If a child learns of a parent's deception, they will have a problem being comforted later by words/actions wondering if the parent is telling the truth. By being truthful, you can also feel assured that the child can be guided to accurate, healthy and hopeful interpretations of events and you can help them to learn coping skills.

Sometimes parents are fearful of telling the child about their cancer because they fear children will be overwhelmed. But, if and when there's a delay, or if it's a family secret, the child can build up resentment. In addition to the shock or dismay, children may also have to deal with anger. If they are not told, children as young as 4 and 5 will pick up on the tension in the home. Experts say that children who suspect parents of concealing something often imagine that the problem is even worse than it is because it is "too awful to be talked about." Children may also feel isolated from their parents at a time of tremendous stress.

Learn More: Telling Kids About Cancer

What About Me...?

A support group of adolescents ages 11 to 13 who have been affected by cancer in their family. This is a time to talk about the losses and changes in the home since cancer, share your feelings, learn about cancer and share with other kids. The group meets the second Monday of each month from 3:30-4:30pm. This group is for bereavement and support. To register please call Cammie Caron, MSW, LICSW, Oncology Social Work at 978-937-6129.

What About Me...?Jr.

This group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 4:00-5:00pm and is for children ages 7 to 10 who have been affected by cancer in their family. A time to talk about your feelings, the losses and changes in your home since cancer. Learn about cancer, and share your hopes and fears. This group is for bereavement and support. To register please call Cammie Caron, MSW, LICSW, Oncology Social Work at 978-937-6129.

Teen Support Group

A support group for teens ages 14 to 17 who have been affected by cancer in their family. It is an opportunity for teens to share their thoughts, hopes and fears as well as offer support to other teens living with cancer in the family. Meets the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30-4:30pm. This group is for bereavement and support. Please call Cammie Caron, MSW, LICSW, Oncology Social Work at 978-937-6129 to register.

NOTE: These programs are on hiatus for the summer

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