It’s hard not knowing how to help or explain things to children. One of the first things I asked for were books about childhood cancer to help my kids. I developed “My Coping Skills Coloring Book for Cancer Kids and Families” to share the feelings my family experienced and what we did about to feel better. This coloring book shares how kids may feel during a cancer journey. There are detailed pictures to color. It also shares different ways to cope with negative feelings and encourages creativity. It’s also available for free by clicking the link!

Here are a few other books about childhood cancer we were given from the hospital that help siblings understand more about cancer. They gave us a way to explain to our older boys why their baby brother was in the hospital. I really liked how I Have a Question About Cancer by Arlen Gaines answered questions about the body. It’s so helpful for curious minds because it describes the in and outs of the disease, including what happens to the cells. Hi, My Name is Jack by Christina Beall-Sullivan is a book about how you feel when your brother or sister is going through cancer. It especially takes a look at negative feelings. Jamie’s Journey by Sharon Wonzy is written more like a story, describing the cancer journey. Jamie is the sister of Jordan who has cancer and is sharing her thoughts. At the end, it has room to journal your own thoughts and feelings.

What’s one of your favorite books for childhood cancer? Let me know at lexi@cancerkidsresources.com

I know I was a parent who wanted to understand as much as I could about what was going on in my son’s body. More than anything, I wanted to know how to help him! I’ve met many parents who want to know how to support their child at home. Here is a list of YouTube channels, podcasts, and websites that can help you find information about childhood cancer.

Video Information about Childhood Cancer

Two YouTube channels that have great general information come from the National Cancer Institute and Icon Cancer Centre. The National Cancer Institute has a playlist called “When a Child Has Cancer” and it has information on how to keep notes when the doctor comes in, how to talk to your child and how to support your child at home. With the Icon Cancer Centre has some general information available in different languages such as Vietnamese and Bahasa. YouTube is also great for searching up specific side effects or conditions your child may have. I found this very helpful and used the information to ask my doctor questions.

Podcast Information

A great podcast if you are interested in the nitty gritty science behind childhood cancer treatments, protocols and side effects, is Understanding Childhood Cancer with Dr. Geoff. It is potentially overwhelming because it does include medical terminology. The talks can be hard to follow for a long time with many uncommon terms. It does have great answers and information if you are quick to pick things up or are willing to take the time to google terms or concepts that are not familiar. The Lighthouse Podcast shares stories from families who have gone on a cancer journey and has some informational episodes. It’s great because it’s parent to parent. It is easy to relate to and hearing about trials or resources other families tried is helpful.

Blog Information about Childhood Cancer

We at Cancer Kids Resources provide information on that is helps children and families cope on a cancer journey. We have blogs that share about resources we have experience with and have used. There is also information on how communities can provide support for people they know who have a child with cancer. Alex’s Lemonade Stand has a blog that shares information on research ideas. They also share facts about different types of cancer.

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ancer treatments can bring delays or setbacks in children’s development. Side effects will depend on what type of cancer your child has, what treatment they are on and how they respond to it. Many families report delays in cognitive and physical growth. I noticed speech was developing much slower for my toddler with cancer than it had with my older sons. He also stopped walking independently when chemotherapy began. His physical body seemed to shrink rather than grow taller and stronger.

Set a Foundation for Learning

Emotional and physical trauma (like from battling cancer) can make it hard for a child to want to learn academically. Don’t expect things to carry on exactly as if nothing is happening because something huge is. However, cushioning the blows is possible with a lot of effort and support to help remain on the track. Fred Rogers from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood discussed six “necessities” required to be ready to learn. These include foundations such as a sense of self-worth, curiosity and daily time alone. Read more about these important foundations here to help your child grow. This is for siblings too, who may not be growing as much when so much of your energy is being poured out already. Similar to Montessori learning, this sets the stage for them to grow and you don’t have to be as hands on as you would think for them to thrive.

Get Professional Assistance

Ask about any physical, occupational or speech therapy your child may be able to receive. Doctors don’t always suggest this, but you can. I used to think my son would just re-learn these skills one day but once he started occupational and physical therapy, he made much faster progress. They can show you the cayse of the delays and tell you what to do to help those specific weaknesses. No need to work on these items just once a week either. See if you can get similar resources to use at home to keep practicing what was learned throughout the week.

Set Aside Time to Build Skills

Language was something we worked on everyday. Learning sign language was actually a huge help with building vocabulary for us. We then knew when he wanted water or was hungry, which was absolutely critical for a cancer patient. It doesn’t just teach hand signs either. By teaching sign language, we also slowed down and intentionally taught verbal language at the same time. My son used verbal words and sign at the same time after we started this.

The Treeschool Preschool and Kid Songs You Tube channel is amazing for teaching a variety of sign words from foods (we loved using this one) to scientific concepts like photosynthesis and they do it all through song! Kids get to watch other kids sign and they will love watching it over and over again until they learn it. I preferred Tree school to other signing videos because the repetition, music and images helps with learning and the videos were grouped into useful topics like foods, feelings and health. For older kids or teens looking for helpful phrases, Signed with Heart has great lessons on Instagram.

Final Takeaway

Whatever you notice is helping your children grow, try to make a habit of doing it at the same time every day or every week to really see them progress. Even during a very difficult time, your children can still grow developmentally and emotionally by setting the stage for success and then following through regularly. What helped delays during treatment for you? Share a comment or join in the daily conversations in our Cancer Kids Resources group

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ne parent at home taking kids back and forth to school and activities, the other parent at the hospital keeping track of symptoms and talking to doctors. Maybe one parent is working, while the other is giving meds on schedule. Or perhaps one parent is overwhelmed with stress or depression, and the other parent is focused on keeping the family happy. Not to mention, these things can change by the month or even by the day! So how do we keep the family feeling united in a time of chaos? Here are some tips.

Family Night

If you don’t have one yet, you don’t know what you’re missing until you try. Pick a day of the week that your family will spend together- watching a movie, playing a board game, having a bible study, going on a walk, etc. Every week that everyone is home, you do that activity. For us, we did a video devotional and a movie while we had pizza, popcorn and carrots every Friday. Many weeks we missed it due to hospital stays but when we could, it was such a joy for everyone and we all look forward to it.

Video Chat

During times of separation, make an effort to keep updated as parents everyday through a call and texts throughout the day. Video chats are especially helpful for kids to feel connected to siblings and the other parent when everyone can’t be together. Making a time everyday to do this may be hard due to different schedules but there is definitely something powerful to seeing faces as well as hearing voices. We only made the effort sometimes to video chat but calling everyday was a must for us and helped a TON with relieving stress and feeling like partners.

Build on Strengths and Availability

Make something great out of your family’s ingredients. What can everyone bring? Attentiveness, routine, joy, fun, peace, finances, support systems, faith, research, resources, encouragement, etc. Everyone has a position to hold when under deadly fire. Of course, everyone will bring their weaknesses too and everyone requires time and energy to stay afloat. This complicates the battle plan but get one together and modify as you go. Plan to succeed!

Focus on Faith

God was our support, day in and day out. One phone call while sitting in a hospital bed most of the day only goes so far. Is a few texts really enough while you’re suddenly feeding, bathing and transporting kids between work calls and worried about what’s happening at the hospital? One family night out of seven nights a week makes a difference but will it carry you the distance? I’d be wrong not to share my greatest help. A relationship with God gave me continuous support and still does even after our loss.

Keeping the family united through a cancer journey gives a peace, joy, and confidence. If, you’ve been on this journey, what are some tips you have?