DrRoberta Dear Dr. Roberta,
My husband was just diagnosed with a serious disease and we don’t know if we should tell our kids. What do you think?
Unsure, Utah
Dear Unsure,
Secrets cause harm. Please tell the children in a calm, gentle way that their dad is ill. Encourage them to learn more about the disease and to say the name of the disease without shame. It’s helpful if they discuss their dad’s illness with others. The more people who know about the illness, the more help you’ll get. Answer your children’s questions and allow them to go to doctor’s visits with you. The truth helps everyone get through tough times.
– Dr. Roberta
