Written by admin on 2009-05-21T06:57:20+0000">May 21, 2009 – 6:57 am
Young children may become distressed by any acute or prolonged illness in one of their parents. Some will entertain a fantasy that the parent may die. Parents need the child to visit. Often the presence of grandparents or other members of the extended family provides important continuity and security for the child during this period.
There are many other family stresses that can influence children at any age. These include any changes in family routine, financial stresses, loss of employment, arguments, a parent who is absent from home for periods of time because of work or any other reason, and so on. If there is tension in the family, children will invariably pick it up, no matter how hard the parents try to keep it from them. It is best to be honest at all times, and explain the circumstances to the child, in terms he can understand. Stresses can also act to bond the family together, so the outcome is not always bad.
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