Content Overview 
- Summary
- Why Do I Need To Tell My Children Anything?
- General Guidelines For Telling Children About Your Health Condition
- Do I Have To Tell My Children By Myself?
- When Should I Tell My Children About My Diagnosis?
- Guidelines For Telling Children Who Are Toddlers Through Age 3*
- Guidelines For Telling Children Age 7 Through 13
- Guidelines For Telling Children Age 3 Through 7
- Guidelines For Telling Adolescents About Your Diagnosis
- What Other Tips Would Help My Children?
- When To Seek Professional Help
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Additional Resources
Summary
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EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS ARE DISCUSSED IN OTHER SECTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING AGE SPECIFIC AND DISEASE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
If you have children, there is no viable choice but to tell them about your condition. Children have a sense that lets them know when something is in the air. If you don't tell them, they will likely assume it is something they did wrong or somehow caused. Plus they will likely hear about it sooner or later in any event.
Conventional wisdom is that the best parenting is not shielding children from life but teaching them how to deal with whatever life throws at you.
Deciding what and when to tell them about your diagnosis can be confusing and painful.
How, when and how much to tell depends on the child's age, the individual child, and what seems right to you.
Depending on the child's age, you may want to prepare him or her for any possible change in your appearance.
Talk about death if it is appropriate.
Expect to repeat what you tell a child, particularly as changes occur.
Before showing any changes in your body to a child, find out if the child wants to see.
Reassure your children that no matter what happens, they are loved and will be taken care of.
Listen to your child's fears.
Suggest that the child come to you when he or she wants more information rather than ask someone else or do his or her own research.
Coordinate what you tell your child with your spouse or significant other so the child gets a consistent story. It helps if other adults close to the child are informed of what you tell your child so the child doesn't become confused.
Tell the child's teachers about your health condition so they can be alert to problems that may appear at school as a result. Sometimes withdrawal from peer relationships indicates depression. Counseling may be needed.
NOTE:
- For information about helping children cope, click here.
- Keep your drugs away from young children. Teach older children not to take your drugs. Dispose of drugs safely.
To Learn More
More Information
Drugs 101: An Overview
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