How to Emotionally Support Your Child with Leukemia

If your child has been diagnosed with leukemia, it can be incredibly harrowing to stay positive and encouraging through the progression of treatment. Here are some ways to help your child emotionally navigate their cancer treatment. 

Find Low Energy Hobbies

Often times, one of the most depressing aspects of cancer is the fatigue and lack of ability to participate in activities. Try to invest time into activities that require less energy but can still be entertaining and fulfilling for your child. Some wonderful low energy hobbies include doing puzzles, learning needlework such as knitting or crocheting, origami and jewelry making. Creativity can help stimulate your child's mind and also pass the time. 

Join a Support Group

Sometimes one of the best support systems you can receive while going through cancer is the experience and guidance of those who are taking the journey simultaneously. Childhood leukemia support groups are a great option for connecting with others and sharing stories and words of encouragement. Meeting with others on a similar path can be of great benefit to your child while they are fighting leukemia. 

Use Positive Affirmations Daily

Positive affirmation is a specific way of speaking that can be used to change your outlook on your current situation or life in general. They can be utilized for any benefit, from stress relief to inviting hope into your current outlook. Speaking positive affirmations to your child on a daily basis can help both of you to manage stress and other physical symptoms of leukemia treatment, such as nausea, fatigue and hair loss from chemotherapy. 

Although watching your child suffer with leukemia can be a grueling experience, there are ways to emotionally help them navigate cancer and its treatment. Using these tips, you can help your child make the most they can out of a negative situation.