Help with choosing a book.

[Hobie]

My FIL is in the hospital, and it doesn't look very good. My boys love dearly, but we haven't told them yet. This happened so suddenly (colon cancer). I'd like a good book or two to help explain what's going on. My boys are 5, 5 and 2.

[2cutiekitties]

I dont have a book recommendation just wanted to say I am so sorry
Colon cancer has hit my family, and it is really tough. Your poor boys

[Igraine]

I am not sure if there is a book that can explain such a profound and human experience. What I would suggest is to have your kids visit your FIL as much as possible. I know colon cancer is very painful and awful, so I do not know how you would plan visits because you certainly do not want to add to the trauma.

My mother died in September and was in the hospital a lot with her lung cancer the previous 6 months. We visited her as much as possible regardless of whether she was in the hospital or at home. My children saw with their own eyes the process of death. They are little (6.5 and 3) and they were able to talk about their experiences and come to their own understanding without placing anything in their heads.

My heart goes out to you. there is no simple way of managing this. But I will say our children are far stronger than even we know. They understand things innately because they are closer to birth than we are and they have such fewer hang-ups.

Hugs to you and your family.

[expatmommy]

There should be a social worker at the hospital available for support. He/she will probably have a list of books to recommend for children. Also he/she should be able to give you an idea about what to expect as the disease progresses, so you can prepare your kids for visiting.

Also, contact your local hospice. They can be a really good source for information and support.

The 10th Good Thing about Barney by Judith Viorst is a good book introducing the idea of dying to children.

Mr. Rogers has an excellent small book for children about sickness & dying. It can be hard to find, but some libraries do carry it. I don't think it is available for purchase anymore.

[Hobie]

Thank you. It looks like FIL doesn't have cancer after all - even the DR was shocked. The boys and I aren't able to visit FIL in the hospital because they live 8 hours away. I did get one book, and will get a couple more. This expirance has reminded me that the unexpected can happen at any time.

[uumomma]

a cuppla books that help my family when my dad died was:

the fall of freddy the leaf
and
tear soup

good luck