How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness [Paperback]

Kathleen McCue M.A. C.C.L.S. (Author), Ron Bonn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1996

Offering supportive, practical advice from a leading child-life specialist, this book includes information such as what to tell a child about the illness, how to recognize early-warning signs in a child's drawings, sleep patterns, schoolwork and eating habits, and when and where to get professional help. Illustrations & Calvin & Hobbes cartoons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This practical handbook prepares parents to address children's fears with absolute honest and profound empathy."--Booklist

"Offers detailed guidance."--The New York Times

"A fine and long-needed guide."--Betty Rollin, author of First, You Cry, and Last Wish

"McCue and Bonn should earn the gratitude of generations of young people for whom the tragedy of a parent's loss will be eased by this volume's sage advice."--Walter Cronkite

"A practical, eloquent, and compassionate guide, written with enduring respect for the wisdom and strength of children."--Mary Alice Williams

"I hope you never need this book, but if you do, use it, trust it. It could help your children for the rest of your lives."--Bill Kurtis

"Clearly written and richly researched, this book is a true how-to manual, exploring specific scenarios and offering step-by-step advice. It is sensitive to the needs of different age groups, family situations, and types of illness."--Connie Chung

"I loved the book. It takes difficult concepts about a difficult subject and presents them humanely and with clarity."--Richard Thompson, Ph.D., past president of the Child Life Council, and author of the only book on the theory of child life practice

"[A] comprehensive and compassionate approach to one of the most neglected areas in psychological health care. It is a work to which I plan on referring families and professionals."--Ernest R. Katz, Ph.D., Director, Psychosocial and Behavioral Sciences, Jonathan Jacques Children's Cancer Center

About the Author

Kathleen McCue, M.A., C.C.L.S., is supervisor of the child life program at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and past president of the National Child Life Council, her profession's international association. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ron Bonn has won three Emmy awards for his work as a TV news producer and writer. He lives in Closter, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1 edition (August 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312146191
• ISBN-13: 978-0312146191
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique book to help you help others!, May 11, 2000

By 

Jerri (Baltimore MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness (Paperback)

How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness is a wondeful resource for professional and home use! There are so many books designed to help children and parents with a child's illness but practically nothing available to help the children of adult patients deal with an adult illness, accident, or death. Kathleen and Ron are skillful and concise in sharing dozens of pointers and case examples that will help any adult in this situation. I work in a hospital and refer to the book often. We've shared it with nurses and doctors-all have found it "right on target". I know it would be a wonderful resource for use at home too. Two thumbs up to Kathleen and Ron for filling a big gap!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I hope you will never need this book ..., December 31, 2001

By 

So many books, so little time - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness (Paperback)

My husband was diagnosed with cancer when our daughter was just 9 months old. We are a little over 2 years into our struggle with his illness. I found McCue and Bonn's book immensly helpful at this difficult time. It covers everything from diagnosis, to coming home from the hospital or, God forbid, the parent's death. It also covers long term illnesses. The book is filled with practical advice. If you are struggling with a very sick parent (or other loved one) in your family right now, you need all the help you can get. After reading this book, I feel like I have the tools to help my daughter through this process whatever the outcome might be. It was incredibly helpful.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ!, May 7, 2001

By 

Shelia (Brookhaven, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness (Paperback)

This book is a tremendous resource for families who are facing serious illness and approaching death. The book gave me helpful advice on when to seek counseling help for my children, signals of depression and failure to cope in children, how to explain about hereditary diseases, and how to help children prepare to visit the hospital. In my own situation, my husband has a progressive muscular disease that has affected his lung/breathing processes. This disease can result in immediate death and I felt that my children needed to be prepared for that. I actually handled my chidlren's first trip to the hospital badly and they both reacted negatively--I wish I would have had this resource then! From time to time I refer back to this helpful book whenever a new situation arises and after reading it, I feel that I have a better understanding of how children see an illness, how they react to it, and how to explain it to them. I'd really like to see a sequel to it that goes into areas such as what to do when the kids are in denial and don't want to know; dealing with relatives who disagree with the methods chosen on helping the child deal with the illness, and how to handle emergencies that happen at home with the ill parent. In any case, this book is a necessity for families!