Season 6, Episode #52 – “What Happens When…”
Guest Hosts: Jenni Rogers MS, CCLS, CTRS and Sara Olsher, Author and Founder of Mighty + Bright
Summary:
Sarah and Jenni discuss the benefits of using books to help children understand illness and navigate difficult conversations. They share their experiences in creating resources for families facing chronic illness, including books on cancer, anticipatory grief, and living with chronic illness. They emphasize the importance of starting conversations early and providing age-appropriate information. Sarah and Jenni also discuss the use of humor and illustrations in their books to make difficult topics more accessible. They highlight the need for healthcare professionals to have resources to support families in having these conversations.
Keywords:
books, illness, children, conversation, resources, chronic illness, cancer, anticipatory grief, healthcare professionals
Initiatives Featured in this episode:
Community Resource, Parental Support, Bibliotherapy
Takeaways:
- Books can provide a structured and accessible starting point for difficult conversations about illness with children.
- Books with illustrations can help children understand complex concepts and normalize their experiences.
- Parents should read through books first to determine what information is appropriate for their child and to prepare themselves emotionally.
- Having ongoing conversations and revisiting topics allows for continued support and understanding.
- Healthcare professionals should have resources to support families in having conversations about illness with their children.
Key Websites to include on our website:
Sara Olsher: https://www.saraolsher.com/
What Happens When Someone I Love Can’t Get Better: https://shorturl.at/U7oLE
Mayo Clinic Child Life: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/childrens-center/child-life-program/overview
In the Loop Article: https://intheloop.mayoclinic.org/2024/07/18/helping-terminally-ill-parents-answer-the-hardest-question-are-you-going-to-die/