Sibling Spotlight
- Dancing
- Saying out loud and proud, “I am awesome!”
- Sing while listening to loud music
- Scream into or punch a big soft pillow
- Run in place as fast as you can
2. There are always new things to learn. Remember that it is okay to ask questions. Asking questions and getting answers from people you trust (like parents, doctors, nurses, or a favorite aunt) can help reduce worries.
4. When it’s possible, have dinner with your family.
5. Celebrate good moments. When you are feeling sad, mad or scared, just think about something you like to do or fun times you have had.
6. Tell your school. It helps if a teacher knows why you are feeling “grouchy” some days.
7. Remember that you are thought about each day and that there are other siblings going through some of the same things you are. You are not alone.
8. Write your sibling a letter sharing how you feel about him/her and about the illness.
9. Show love and offer to help out your sibling if he/she needs it. You probably know your sibling better than anyone. It is okay to ask your sibling how he/she is feeling. It is okay to make him/her laugh, and it is still okay to play games with him/her. If you or your sibling is feeling down in the dumps, don’t be afraid to show those feelings and to show you care and understand. Don’t be ashamed to cry. Everyone cries and it helps the body to release tension and to feel better. Our Friends of Karen sibs think it’s very brave to cry.
10. Remind others that it is important for you to hear how great you are. You are a very important part of your family and you always will be. No matter what!
SIBLING STORIES
Sibling Grief Month
“The loss of a brother or sister is not small, unimportant or invisible. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I call sibling loss the ‘loss of a lifetime,’ because who else do we expect to have relationships with that stretch our entire lives?” – Lynn Shattuck Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month is an annual designation observed in November. The death of
Meet Cameron and Brinley
Brinley, age 9 and her sister Cameron, age 6, met with Friends of Karen Creative Arts Therapist Jane and created “I am” posters. The “I am” posters helped to discuss who they are and if the cancer diagnosed changed any of these things. They agree they are still themselves despite all the changes happening in their lives and but sometimes
Helping Children Understand Leukemia
Our Sibling Support Program team of four child life specialists and creative arts therapists knows that learning about an illness is different than understanding it. Often when illnesses are not explained to children in an age-appropriate manner they may fill in the gaps with their imaginations, creating stories that may be even scarier than the reality. To help ill children,
Sibling Spotlight: Brandon the Wonder
The feeling of support and connection between the families and staff is deep rooted and families will often look to the Family Support team as a lifeline in challenging times. This month’s very special Sibling Spotlight, Brandon, was only two years old when his older sister Melanie died
