Helping Families Navigate the School Year When Undergoing Cancer
Medically reviewed by Kori Hatfield, licensed clinical social worker
For many families facing cancer, the new school year can bring added stress. New schedules and ongoing changes in routines during a busier time of the year can be difficult to manage while also navigating treatment and family responsibilities.
Kori Hatfield, a licensed clinical social worker at Moffitt Cancer Center, says there are unique challenges or experiences for families affected by cancer face, however there are also ways to ease some of the stress during the school year.
Understanding the Challenges
Oncology care is stressful enough for many patients and their loved ones.
When there is a lot going on at home outside of the academic setting, students may become more easily distracted and have a lower frustration tolerance, Hatfield says. New feelings of anxiety or depression may arise, and for those who already have a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, those feelings may increase during this time.
In addition, the pressure on patients and caregivers to be everything to everyone can quickly lead to burnout and increased symptoms of anxiety.
Communication Is Key
Hatfield says communication is important when navigating heightened stress and the added challenges the school year can bring.
Open and age-appropriate communication about a cancer diagnosis can help provide context for children and the changes that may occur within the family.
“It can also help reduce stress and anxiety so that children aren’t left to assume the information they don’t know or fill in the blanks with inaccurate information,” Hatfield said.
Open communication can also provide children with a sense of safety and predictability.
Communicating openly and normalizing the emotional impact of cancer can also give parents an opportunity to model how they cope with challenging emotions and support healthy coping skills in their children.
Working With the School
Inform teachers, counselors or other trusted staff about your family’s situation. You don’t need to share everything but just enough to provide helpful context.
Support Services
Families First
A parent's cancer diagnosis and treatment impacts the whole family. During this time, children's needs and reactions may be overlooked or misunderstood. Families First is a special program at Moffitt Cancer Center that seeks to restore and maintain the quality of life for families facing a cancer diagnosis.
Programs & Support Services
At Moffitt Cancer Center, we understand that being diagnosed with cancer can be an emotional and distressing experience. That is why we are committed to your well-being by treating the full range of needs, whether they are physical, spiritual or emotional.