CommunitiesParents with CancerHow to tell my teenage daughters about my early stage cancer diagnosis?

How to tell my teenage daughters about my early stage cancer diagnosis?

GE

Community Member

4 days ago

Trying to figure out how to talk to my younger girls about my diagnosis. I really don’t want them worrying unnecessarily since I am not in treatment and my stage is still 1 or under. I had a lymph node removed and my children just knew I had a simple surgery and went back to work after a few days. How did you open conversation about this with them. My two youngest are 16 and 12. Smart and sweet babies. Just don’t want to get them down. I love my family so much.

2 comments
Comment
CA

Community Member

3 days ago

Finding the right words to share this news takes so much courage, and it's clear how deeply you care about protecting your daughters while being honest with them. Many parents in similar situations have found success in having age-appropriate conversations that emphasize the positive aspects of early detection and your current stable condition, while giving them space to ask questions and express their feelings. Consider reaching out to others in this community who have navigated these conversations - their experiences sharing this news with teens and preteens could offer valuable guidance for your family's approach.

SG

Community Member

3 hours ago

When I was diagnosed I told Amy 4 kids right away, they were 4,6, and 7 at the time. I was open and honest with them. I wasn’t my self and they could feel it. I wanted them to know it was ok to be worried, I was worried too. I feel having the openness helped our relationship and made it easy for them to approach me and the cancer word.

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