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Parenting with Cancer | UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Parenting Through Cancer

Watch videoplay_circleTalk to Kids About Cancer

When a parent has an illness, it impacts the entire family, particularly children. Talk to them openly about your illness in a way they can understand.  Maintaining routines provides stability for them. Encourage them to express their feelings through talking, art, or play.

Prioritize quality time together as a family. Your ongoing support and communication will help your children develop resilience during this challenging time.

Support groups

What Is a Child Life Specialist?

If you are undergoing cancer treatment, a child life specialist can provide essential support for your children and family. They are experts in helping families cope with the stress and challenges that illness can create.

How Can a Child Life Specialist Help My Family?

A child life specialist can help your family when a parent has an illness. They'll help you understand your child's perspective on the situation and provide guidance on how to talk to them about it.

They'll offer tools for healthy emotional expression and suggest activities to help your child cope. Additionally, they can help you create meaningful family time and connect with helpful resources like books, activities, and websites.

Want to Learn More?

Visit the UC Davis Child Life Services webpage "Parenting with Illness" for strategies and ideas to support your family.

Resources to Help You and Your Family Cope

For Parents:

  • How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness by K. McCue & R. Bonn (Book) - Offers guidance on supporting your children during your own illness
  • Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child When a Parent is Sick by P. Rauch (Book) - Strategies for maintaining your child's emotional well-being while you are unwell
  • Wonders & Worries: How to Explain a Cancer Diagnosis (Handout) - Provides guidance on discussing cancer with children (available in English and Spanish)


To Read With Your Children:

  • What Happens When Someone I Love Has Cancer by S. Olsher (Book, ages 4-9) - Helps younger children understand cancer
  • Talking With My Treehouse Friends About Cancer by P. van Dernoot (Workbook, ages 6-12) - Activities to help children process the emotional impact of a loved one's cancer
  • Breathing Makes it Better: A Book for Sad Days, Mad Days, Glad Days, and All the Feelings In-Between by C. Willard & W. O'Leary (Book, ages 3 and up) - Teaches children simple mindfulness techniques to manage difficult emotions


For Teens:

  • My Parent Has Cancer and It Really Sucks by M. Silver & M. Silver (Book) - Offers support and understanding specifically for teens with a sick parent
  • When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens by National Cancer Institute (Booklet) - Helps teens deal with the complexities of a parent's cancer diagnosis


Additional Support:

For further guidance and resources, please contact Child Life Specialist Emily McDaniel, M.A., CCLS, at ejmcdaniel@ucdavis.edu or 916-734-4034.