Childhood cancer can be a stressful and life-changing experience. With everything going on during diagnosis and treatment, it is common to give all your energy to your child. Some caregivers may lose hobbies and healthy habits. Some may experience changes in their relationships with family, friends and other people in their life. It can be hard to feel like yourself, find the time to take care of yourself, and seek support from family and friends.
It is important to remember that your needs matter too. When possible, slow down and take care of yourself. We hear from many caregivers that self-care feels very difficult or even impossible near the initial diagnosis. Now that the dust has settled in some ways, you can serve as a model for your child about how to manage stress in your daily life. Often, you may not be able to be the parent that you want to be until your own needs are met.
In this session, we will cover:
Getting out of negative cycles that can stop you from taking care of yourself
Learning what you can and cannot control
Gaining skills to manage stress
Effective communication strategies to navigate potential changes in your relationships