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Pre-Teen
Level of Understanding and Developmental Stage
- Beginning to focus more on friends than family.
- Think
logically and begin to develop abstract reasoning.
They absorb new
information quickly.
- Want to “fit-in” and
therefore are aware of what is socially acceptable.
- Meaning
of illness relates to the visible symptoms.
Helping
Them Cope
- Answer their questions and assure them that you will keep them updated.
- Ask them about their understanding of cancer because
children at this age may
do their own research on the internet.
- They
may hide their emotions to appear more grown
up; encourage them to
share their feelings with you by sharing your
feelings.
- Encourage your child to remain involved
with friends and other activities. Allow
them to assume additional responsibilities
around the home if they went to help,
but try not to overload them.
- Reassure the
child that they are healthy and it is not their
fault that their
parent is sick.
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