DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD

✅ Always be supportive. Remind children that they can always openly share their thoughts and feelings with you, discuss any issues and talk to other family members, teachers, health care providers, etc. if necessary.

✅ Dose the information. Help your child understand the basic facts about his or her health condition and the changes associated with it, as well as the process of treatment and rehabilitation. Avoid details and unnecessary details. Later, if necessary, provide more information.

✅ Discuss thoughts and feelings together. For various reasons, parents may downplay or ignore changes in their child's health in order to focus on other needs. Keep in constant contact with your child. Sincere conversations and the opportunity to express themselves help them overcome their fears. Find ways to distract from the situation, such as drawing, journaling, a new hobby, etc.

✅ Support the child's social circle. This is very important. Make sure he or she stays in touch with friends and peers (e.g., making playdates, texting, chatting, video, calling, etc.).

✅ Teach your child to accept his or her own uniqueness. Focus on his or her strengths. This will strengthen the child's inner state and give him/her confidence. Remind them that everyone is physically and emotionally different, with unique characteristics and abilities. It is normal to be different. And physical differences do not affect a strong friendship.

✅ Make a daily routine together. It may be difficult or impossible to return to the routine you had before. So, create a new daily routine, as consistent actions will help keep you motivated to change and achieve. Take into account the physical activity (exercises) recommended by the health workers and the child's needs for favorite activities and communication if he or she wants to maintain contact with someone. There should also be time for personal hygiene and rest, meals and studying, conversations or reading, etc.

Adapted from UNICEF Ukraine.