Let's talk about how we can speak to kids about cancer…
Let’s talk about how we can speak to kids about cancer…with psychologist Dr Elaine Mayon-White
I was put in touch with Dr Elaine Mayon-White, my guest today, when the wheels were well and truly falling off the machine - my parents were looking after my kids whilst my dad was unwell, my husband was still working in Paris and I was going through chemotherapy and the rounds and rounds of appointments. It was a tough time and, like all parents, I was really anxious about how my three boys were. AT that time they were 3, 5 and 8. What was going through their minds? Did they understand what was going on? We’d tried to explain to them about the cancer, why mummy wasn’t around a lot and why we’d had to move our whole life back from Argentina. I needed some advice and someone to ask whether they were on the right track. I had no idea what to look out for or whether this would just manifest years down the line. I got in touch with Elaine, a general psychologist, but also specialising in paediatrics and as well as reassuring me things would turn out ok, she was able to give me some invaluable advice about how kids can behave in times of stress and trauma. She also pointed me in the direction of books to read and material that might help them. As she says, you can’t protect your children from these incredibly difficult times in life, as this is after all, life. But you can make sure you’re gently feeding in the relevant information and often the emotional bonds created within a family can play such a positive role in their future lives.
To get in touch with Elaine:
www.mayon-white-psychology.co.uk
Books & resources:
For younger children:
* The Huge Bag of Worries - Virginia Ironside
* Emoticon Series - Mike Gordan & Brian Moses
For teens and adolescents
* Macmillan online groups where teenagers can talk to each other
CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy)
Mind over Mood by Dennis Greenberger & Christine A Padesky
Workbooks for teenagers on CBT
Sagest advice she could give to listeners:
Be compassionate to yourself
Sagest advice she has received:
Be selfish