Does the Child Want to Visit the Terminally Ill?
The first point is whether or not the grieving child wants to visit the terminally ill. Do you agree that visiting an infirmed or terminally ill relative can be traumatic to a child if not handled well? In order to help parents decide if the child should visit the terminally ill, I have found that it is productive to simply ask the child if he or she wants to go. Justin was a 7 year old grieving child whose grandfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Justin’s father Merle wanted to know why Justin didn’t want to visit his grandfather. When I asked Justin why he didn’t want to go, he stated, “I’m scared.” After talking to Justin, Merle and I learned that Justin simply did not know what to expect at the hospital. After discussing what Justin might encounter, he elected to go. Think of your Justin. Does he or she want to visit the terminally ill? Why or why not? #2 Preparing the Child for the Visit If the child wants to visit the terminally ill, the second point is to prepare the chil
