When a child is ill, parents tend to focus their energy on caring for that child, even more so in the case of cancer. As a result, the needs of healthy siblings often take a back seat. This means that they suffer too, often silently and unnoticed.
Siblings often feel deeply distressed and vulnerable when their brother or sister has cancer. Parents may spend long periods in the hospital, leaving relatives or friends to manage everyday life at home. Many children struggle with anxiety, feelings of abandonment and emotional overwhelm. Siblings miss their ill sister or brother and suffer in their own way. The drastic changes may put more psychological strain on them than their behaviour suggests.
Podcast recommendation
The podcast with Andrea Kurzo is available on the family blog ‘The Angelones’ (in German). Family blogger Rita from ‘The Angelones’ has supported Childhood Cancer Switzerland for several years through valuable articles, moving reports and informative interviews. The blog shares stories about family life, addresses socio-political issues, and offers food for thought.
Finding and getting help
As parents, you face enormous challenges and it’s completely understandable if you can’t handle everything on your own. Parents often struggle with guilt and the double burden of being unable to give their healthy children enough time and attention. If family resources alone are not sufficient to cope with such a crisis, seeking professional support early on is highly recommended. This can help ease the burden on the entire family.
