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How do you support children when siblings are sick?

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Sep 5 2:54pm

When your child has an illness or needs to stay in the hospital, it affects the family. Priorities and routines likely change. Not knowing what will happen and for how long affects both your child who is ill and your child’s siblings.

See this helpful booklet from Mayo Clinic:
- Supporting Children When Siblings Are Sick https://mcforms.mayo.edu/mc6800-mc6899/mc6807-1288.pdf

Sibling illness or hospitalization affects the whole family. Siblings try to understand and cope with changes in family life and their daily routines. Children react in different ways to the illness or hospitalization of a sibling.

What reactions or behaviors did your family navigate? How did you help your well child adjust? What tips would you share with others?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the About Kids & Teens Support Group.

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Khelves | @khelves | Nov 21 8:31pm

I think it would really just depend on the individual, and how they feel about it. Probably asking how they feel about it, and if they don't understand, to help them understand.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 5 7:45pm
In reply to @khelves "I think it would really just depend on the individual, and how they feel about it...." + (show)
Profile picture for Khelves @khelves

I think it would really just depend on the individual, and how they feel about it. Probably asking how they feel about it, and if they don't understand, to help them understand.

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@khelves, I agree that each family dynamic is different and helping siblings understand depends on many factors, including their personalities and age.

Have you had this situation?

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