5 Ways to Combat Loneliness

Pediatric cancer treatments tend to leave the patient alone numerous of hours, this can be difficult for any person and difficult to explain to those especially little ones. This loneliness can feel even more overwhelming during this particular time of year. Today, we would like to share five ways to ease this sense of loneliness.

Understand that loneliness is a feeling, not a definite reality.
Although the feeling of loneliness is a powerful one, it is important to recognize that this feeling does not translate to fact. Typically, when we are feeling lonely it is due to a triggered memory or feeling and the perception that those memories are absent. In these moments ask yourself "what triggered this feeling?" Additionally, recognize that you are able to overcome this feeling and deserve to do so.

Become Aware of Negative Thoughts You Have About Yourself.
This is a two step process because you first must recognize when you are having these thoughts and follow it up by stopping and replacing these thoughts with more positivity. You must be able to advocate for yourself to begin to rid yourself of that "outsider" feeling.

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone. 
This is a "physical" step that you can take in order to combat the feeling of loneliness, interact with new people you may not with normally. By learning new things about new people, stimulates social interaction and will help you feel more connected. Also, meet with other people who may be struggling with the same feeling. This provides you with an opportunity to discuss and cope with someone you can relate with and hopefully give you a healthy and effective platform to rid loneliness out of your life.

Nurture Yourself and Others.
Kindness is an extremely powerful feeling and brings a universal feeling of "goodness". By nurturing other and engaging in acts of kindness will do good for others just as much as it does good for you and your emotional health.

Commit to Eliminating Loneliness from Your Emotional Health
By committing to improving your emotional health and recognizing that you deserve to have a happy and positive state of mind [even in times of chaos] is the most important aspect. You are in control!

Effective Communication Techniques to Reconnect with Family

We are living in a fast paced world which makes it difficult at times to really take the time to connect with your loved ones. That is why today, we want to focus on a few different techniques that will assist you in reconnecting with both your immediate and extended family during Thanksgiving!

To begin, lets begin with the "why" behind the importance of connecting with our family:

• Overall, by effectively communicating with our family ultimately connects us better. Overall this provides us with establish emotional support resources which is key for any individual but especially for those going through a difficult time.
• By integrating ourselves within each others emotional lives provides us with a sense of control over our emotional health.
• Connecting with family enhances our social and emotional skills.
• Provides the opportunity to clear out our emotional stress that we may have been harboring.

Techniques to ensure highly effective communication within your family this Thanksgiving:

1. Put away your electronics! Nothing takes away from a conversation like the constant interruption of a phone or tablet.
2. Maintain engaging eye contact and body language. Make sure you are facing towards the family member as you have a conversation with them so it can show to them that you are interactively paying attention to what they are saying.
3. Listen, listen, listen! By showing the other person you are listening bridges a connection between the both of you because they are aware that you are engaged and care about what they have to say.
4. Finally, establish your communication boundaries or willingness to discuss your treatment as it will be likely that someone will ask. This is okay! It is also okay if you are not up for talking about it as well--just make sure you know what your plan is ahead of time so you do not have to deal with any unnecessary stress!

Mindfullness to help emtional health

Cancer, Cancer Treatment, and Post Cancer Treatment is stressful, it will mean instead of a few things going on in your life like most kids you will have dozens. But don't worry, like it was said yesterday, you are strong! Stronger for having to endure this. Here is a helpful link that will help you learn how to meditate. I know to some mediation sounds silly or even a waste of time, but it really is just a way to center yourself, turn off your mind for a bit so that you can oragnize your thoughts, and gives you prespective on things happen in your life. Some form of meditation just 5 mintues a day will most likely change the way you think about things. Try it and see what you think!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5480/5-Tips-to-Teach-Children-Mindfulness-Meditation.html

Recognizing Your Emotional Mask + Embracing Your True Identity

As we are within our Halloween Blog week, there has never been a better time to look over the concept of emotional masks. Additionally how to unmask yourself and embrace your true identity. To begin lets look at emotional masks in general.

What is an Emotional Mask?

This metaphorical mask is the emotions and reactions that we put on in various situations. A very applicable situation pertaining to pediatric cancer could be that you mask your fears or concerns with simple avoidance.

Are there different types of Emotional Masks?

Almost any behavior or emotion that we exert could be a "mask" to what we are truly feeling. The more common and easily recognized masks may be:

• Avoidance Mask- All together avoiding all components of the situation. We ultimately think by avoiding issues and emotions protects us from all.
• People Pleaser Mask- This mask motivates our action to please others in any way possible
• Anger Mask- Anger is an extremely powerful emotion that can be arguably felt more than any other emotion
• Happy Mask- The "everything is fine" mask, tends to coincide with avoidance. This mask alludes to us that if we are forcing happy emotions all of the time we are then actually happy. 

According to Psych Central the following are ways that you are able to unmask yourself:

1. Make the Decision:  The first step is to decide you want to drop the Avoidance Mask. This means you are committed to taking action even though it may be painful in the beginning. If you aren’t sure, make a list of pros and cons–pros and cons of dropping the mask and pros and cons of keeping the mask.

Dropping the mask will not be easy and recognizing the difficulty of this task will help you succeed. Remember taking one step at a time may work best. For example, speaking up about which restaurant you’d prefer for dinner might be one initial step.

2. Focus on Awareness:  If you’ve lost touch with your own preferences and feelings, spend some time asking yourself what you really think and feel.  Keep asking and keep experimenting–it will come back to you. Consider keeping a journal, writing down what you liked and didn’t like each day. Accept your feelings and trust that they will pass.

3.  Be Visible:  Notice if you have the posture of someone who is trying to hide. If you do, stand up straight and let yourself be visible. Begin to express your opinion and thoughts gently, with kindness.

4. Develop New Coping Skills:  Before you drop the mask, it’s important to have alternative, more effective  ways to cope with emotional pain.  More about that in future posts.

5.  Face Whatever You’ve Been Avoiding:  Whatever your thoughts and feelings, they are your thoughts and feelings. Everyone has their own internal experience and yours is likely different from that of your friends’.

Accepting your internal experience instead of avoiding it will allow you to check to see if your feelings have any base in external reality and to choose healthier, more effective ways of coping. Facing the external fears will help you overcome those as well. Being rejected or criticized by others is not pleasant, but you will find out you can survive it. Take small steps, have support, and use alternative coping skills.

5 Inspirational Children's Books

Yesterday, we discussed the benefits that reading has on your child's emotional health. Now, we would like to share with you 5 inspirational children's books to get you started on your reading journey!

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

 A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. [Amazon.com]

 Every Little Thing by Cedella Marley

Bob Marley’s songs are known the world over for their powerful message of love, peace, and harmony. Now a whole new generation can discover one of his most joyous songs in this reassuring picture book adaptation written by his daughter Cedella and exuberantly illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. This upbeat story reminds children that the sun will always come out after the rain and mistakes are easily forgiven with a hug. Every family will relate to this universal story of one boy who won’t let anything get him down, as long as he has the help of three very special little birds. Including all the lyrics of the original song plus new verses, this cheerful book will bring a smile to faces of all ages—because every little thing’s gonna be all right! 

[Chronicle Books]

                         I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont

Positively bursting with energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves, inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! This little girl knows that being proud of being you is the most important thing to remember.

At once silly and serious, Karen Beaumont's joyous rhyming text and David Catrow's wild illustrations unite in a book that is sassy, soulful, and straight from the heart. [Scholastic]

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae & Guy Parker-Rees

This story is about a giraffe called Gerald who can’t dance. At least he can’t dance very well. As a result, he gets teased by the other animals. After a devastating encounter at the local 'Jungle Dance', he is laughed out of town.

With the guidance of a wise and gentle cricket, Gerald learns to listen to the sounds around him and to his own body, and is able to dance so well that the other animals are left in awe.

The message of this lovely rhyming tale is that it is okay to be different and dance to the beat of our own drum.

The book is delightfully illustrated with rhinos who rock and roll, lions tangoing, and baboons performing a Scottish reel. The humour appeals to adult and child alike.

The rhymes makes for easy reading and children will love and laugh at the pictures showing animals doing all manner of unusual things. As well as the message about being brave by doing brave things, the story is a wonderful tool for teaching about the damage prejudice can do. [Kid's Book Review]

          Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heartwarming book encourages positive behavior as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation, and love. Bucket filling and dipping are effective metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves. [Amazon]

The Benefits of Reading for Emotional Health

Being a pediatric cancer patient can have an impact on a child's school attendance. This alone can cause unnecessary stress but when you account for the enriching activities they may be missing, it can be overwhelming. That is why for todays "Emotional Support" post we want to share with you a few things about the benefit reading with your child has.

Why is reading with your child important?

• Reading aloud or having your child read to you help lay their foundation for cognitive and critical thinking skills
• It can create a strong bond between you and your child
• Helps develop an enriching vocabulary

What does reading do that helps my child's emotional health?

According to an article released by the Huffington Post reading benefits your child's emotional help through...

"Early readers will be armed with the vocabulary necessary to communicate to their peers, teachers, and parents. Education provider Gemm Learning says children who have the ability to find the words they want to use are more likely to have a strong self-image, sense of confidence, and higher academic standing. Also, well-read kids are more likely to attempt to formulate their thoughts before becoming angry or demonstrative. "With more knowledge comes more confidence. More confidence builds self-esteem. So it’s a chain reaction. Since you are so well-read, people look to you for answers. Your feelings about yourself can only get better," Gemm Learning says."

So, this week whether you are at home or even at the treatment center and spend a little time reading with your child! Sometimes the little things can mean the most.

Improving Your Emotional Well Being

There are a multitude of steps one can take in order to ensure high levels of emotional well being but it is also important to recognize how easily we can let it go as well. That is why today, lets focus on a few simple steps we can take in order to improve our emotional well being...

1. Engage in things that positively impact others. Sometimes the most gratifying experiences do not necessarily have a direct impact on ourselves. By doing good for others, we are able to find a sense of purpose and happiness that one cannot find anywhere else
2. Educate yourself on a new topic or activity. By learning new things provides our mind with stimulation and our emotional well being with a sense of accomplishment.
3. Managing Stress through limiting unhealthy mental behavior. Stress is a very consuming emotion that can weigh heavily on the mind and body. By seeking out alternative coping methods you may not have tried before will help you adapt to healthier coping processes. Avoid unhealthy habits such as self criticism, repetitive worry and nervous ticks [maybe biting your nails].
4. The practice of self-descipline. Self control in turn leads to a sense of accomplishment and can overcome anxiety.

Stress Relieving Yoga Pose

It is really beginning to feel like fall here at the Teen with a Dream headquarters and we are loving it! With the coming of fall and holidays right around the corner, we are inevitably prone to higher stress levels. Today we would like to share with you three yoga poses that are designed to help combat stress and are extremely easy to do anywhere!

Savasana [Corpse Pose]

According to Yoga Outlet......

The deeply relaxing aspect of Savasana is known to be therapeutic for stress. When you’re under stress, your sympathetic nervous system produces a “fight or flight” response that can over-stimulate your mind and body, causing anxiety, fatigue, depression, and disease. Conversely, practicing Savasana stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system — known as the “rest and digest” response. Relaxing the physical body in Savasana has numerous benefits, including:

• Lowered blood pressure
• A decreased heart rate
• Slowed rate of respiration
• Decreased muscle tension
• Decreased metabolic rate

The physical response can further result in:

• Reduced occurrence of headaches
• Relief from fatigue and insomnia
• Reduced nervous tension
• Relief from anxiety and panic attacks
• Increased overall energy levels
• Increased productivity
• Improved concentration and memory
• Clear-headedness and a sense of focus
• Heightened self-confidence

Taking a Look into Seasonal Affective Disorder

Do you ever feel as though current weather conditions can affect your mood? Well this seemingly causal occurrence is an actual occurrence. This change in mood is called Seasonal Affective Disorder [SAD]. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder is defined by the Mayo Clinic as: 

"Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.

Treatment for SAD may include light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications.

Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year."

Seasonal Affective Disorder is considered a "sub-type" of major depression--but there are differences between the two. Lets take a look and compare the symptoms between these.

According to the Mayo Clinic the following can be symptoms of SAD versus major depression:

Fall and winter SAD

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

• Irritability
• Tiredness or low energy
• Problems getting along with other people
• Hypersensitivity to rejection
• Heavy, "leaden" feeling in the arms or legs
• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain

Spring and summer SAD

Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:

• Depression
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Agitation or anxiety

VERSUS

Major depression

Seasonal affective disorder is a subtype of major depression that comes and goes based on seasons. So symptoms of major depression may be part of SAD, such as:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Having low energy
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Continue reading up on Seasonal Affective Disorder below on the following topics:

1. Causes
2. Risk Factors
3. Complications
4. Preparing for your appointment
5. Tests and Diagnosis

Foods that help lift your mood

Food is what fuels us, so what we eat can deeply impact how we feel, and/or help how we feel about things.

Cancer and cancer treatment is a rough road period, it can make you very emotional for many many months during treatment and even after. So here is a quick list of food to look at that is shown to help lift your mood. Be sure to check back on Sunday for some recipes that use mood lifting foods! Also if the support team, the parents, siblings, and friends are feeling down try eating from the list and maybe it will help lift you as well.


1. Leafy Greens
2. Fish
3. Mussels
4. Walnuts, Almonds, Hazelnuts
5. Blue Berries and other berries
6. Lentils, chickpeas, beans
7. Dark Chocolate, raw cacao powder or nibs
8. Pumpkin seeds
9. Foods with Probiotics.
10. Turmeric (a spice that is amazing and easy to add to dishes)

6 Steps to Take for an Emotional Health Makeover

We were so excited to share yesterday's quote with you that we mixed up our post theme days-oops! Today we will focus on emotional support during the process of change and embracing this change. Below you will find a few ways to give yourself an emotional health makeover. 

Emotions will clearly run high when dealing with pediatric cancer, whether you are the parent, sibling or even the patient themselves- it is important to take time to focus on keeping a healthy state of mind  as much as possible. 

Emotional Support: A Healthy State of Mind

1. Look at situations from multiple perspectives--seek out perspectives you may not typically consider.
2. Believe in yourself. Sometimes we are our worst critics. Make sure to recognize your abilities, talents and strengths and embrace these
3. Utilize Affirmations. These are positive statements that encourage your ability to make changes, or cope with changes that are happening around you. Example: "Everyday is a new one and I will take each day on--using my strengths to make it a good day"
4. Embrace "Personal Power". Read further on the concept of personal power here and check out their exercises to accomplish it.
5. Begin to make choices that will ultimately generate happiness and consideration in some way-even the most little ways. 
6. Baby Steps. It is unrealistic to think you will be able to wake up tomorrow morning and have a fresh perspective and outlook when it comes to change. Make a goal to accomplish one thing a day that ultimately will help you embrace change.

Embrace Change Yoga Routines

As fall is almost among us and the season is changing, we want to shift our blog's focus to embracing change and taking control during this change. Today, we would like to share this wonderful resource provided by Yoga Life Spark that showcases four techniques yoga routines that will kick start your journey of embracing change.

1. Gain Perspective – you can literally get upside down to change your view, or simply imagine your life through someone else’s eyes. Often times when we do this, we truly begin to see how great our lives are and perhaps where we would like to change – a new hobby, a dream business, or even taking more vacations.

2. Shake up (or Start) your Workout Routine – Do you always pound the pavement? Are you a slave to your spin class? While consistent workouts are great, your body also begins to ‘get used to’ your workout much quicker than you might think (try 6-7 days!). Add in some yoga (free e-book here to help you get started) or try your hand at karate. Adding in just one day of cross-training to your workout routine will rev up your metabolism and get your body guessing. Plus it’s fun!

3. Spice up your Palate – Tired of the same thing for lunch and dinner? Sick of salads? Expand your horizons and try a new recipe. Or even better try a recipe that incorporates a new food you haven’t yet tried. I plan to make this yummy looking soup very soon!

4. Set a Mantra – Before you get out of bed, simply state (out loud or to yourself), “I will embrace change today.” Keep your mantra top of mind throughout the day by maybe even jotting it down in your planner or sending yourself an email. See how many ways you can change your normal routine just for the day – try a new route to work, dine at a different lunch spot, or wear clothes outside of your typical style. Even these small little changes will awaken your brain and get your creative juices flowing by stepping outside your normal routine.

Check out Yoga Life Spark's full article and other wonderful reads here!

Not walking alone...

It is important to take time this month to realize we do not walk alone. Being a childhood cancer patient is hard work, and it can feel like we walk alone. Once you start treatment because it is only you getting treatment, only you are feeling the side effects psychically, and to top it all off you are isolated from your peers and friends much of the time. This all adds up feeling very lonley.

Septmber is Childhood Cancer Month, it is important to take some time out and realize we do not walk this path alone, not only can you look to the room next to yours to find someone going through the same thing, but I think to think about it like this. I think about how many hours and man power it took to make the drugs/medicine they are pumping into my body to cure me, I think about how how many people and hours it took for my nurses to become the amazing nurses they were, and I think about the thousands of hours my Doctor spent to learn the knowledge to cure me. If all this wasn't enough after my 6 months of cancer treatment I realized, it may be hard for your friends to be there for you because of germs and so on, but if you need them, and you let them, they will also help you.

Emotional Support is one of the most important needs a child will ever have during their treatment and beyond, in some cases you need extra help, however if you can, look around you to see what is there already, it can help too.

Spencer Harrison

Founder, Teen with a Dream

A Reflection on Labor Day

The weekend has officially begun and provides us one additional day to spend time with those we love. Now, this day is far more about an extra day off from work or school-so what is Labor Day really all about?

The United States Department of Labor summarizes it's significance as such..

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

We found that key characteristics within this summary to be extremely applicable to living with cancer. These terms are:

1. Strength
2. Prosperity 
3. Well-Being

These traits are profoundly important to maintain when coping with cancer treatment. By remembering to pause, take a deep breath and start refreshed [much like our workforce on Labor Day] will assist in the prosperity and well-being of your inner health. 

This Labor Day take a mental break and relax from cancer. We know this can be a difficult task in the mist of such a chaotic time--but we hope you are able to treat yourself or your child to a simple activity that will make them smile!

Tips for the Emotional Transition to High School

Transitioning to high school is an exciting time for teens and a big mild stone. It is common for there to be a little anxiety when making this transition. As we mentioned yesterday, this topic hits close to home for us here at Teen with a Dream because our founder was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma a week prior to starting his freshman year.

Below you will find three categories of tips provided by Cancer.Net that will ensure a healthy emotional transition into high school and beyond...

Key Messages:

• After you are diagnosed with cancer, it’s important for your parents to contact your school to let them know how often you will need to miss school and for how long.
• There are different ways to stay involved with your friends, classmates, and schoolwork. Go at your own pace when you can and when you are ready.
• You may also want to consider what, when, and how to tell your classmates about your cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

After you are diagnosed with cancer, one of your concerns may be how to handle both school and treatment. Depending on your treatment plan, you may be able to continue to attend school and keep up with schoolwork, with short breaks for appointments and treatment. Or, you may need to take more time off from school.

Staying involved

There may be times during treatment when you can’t go to school on a regular basis. However, staying involved with school can help you feel like you’re missing less and make it easier to return when you are ready. Here’s how to stay involved:

• Keep in touch with your friends online, through texting, instant messaging, video chats, e-mail, phone calls, or visits.
• Ask a friend to take notes for you if you need to miss a class.
• Ask teachers if you can photocopy their notes, record their class, or reduce your homework load, if possible.
• Consider asking for a reduced class schedule if possible – maybe you can skip a gym class or an elective class and concentrate on core subjects such as math and English.
• Ask your teachers if they would be willing to e-mail you assignments or send work home with a sibling or friend.
• Consider getting a tutor or hospital teacher to help you with your work from home or the hospital.
• Try to arrange to attend school for special events that are important to you.

Remember that your health has to come first while you are receiving treatment for cancer and recovering. Side effects from your treatment, such as extreme tiredness, called fatigue, and feeling like you need to throw up, called nausea, may make it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or to spend a lot of time with friends. Try not to feel embarrassed or upset if you need extra time to complete schoolwork or don’t feel like being with your friends.

Interacting with your classmates

Your classmates will react to your cancer differently. How they react may depend on how much school you miss or if your appearance changes, such as if you temporarily lose your hair. Here are some tips that may help you talk with your classmates and prepare yourself for their reactions:

• Ask a parent or teacher to give the class some basic information about the cancer and treatment. Or, if you feel comfortable, ask your teachers to arrange a time for you to tell the class about the cancer.
• If you decide to tell your classmates yourself, decide what you’re going to say; you may want a parent or the school counselor to be there to help answer questions. If you feel you are in control, you will be more comfortable and the conversation will flow more smoothly.
• If you decide to have someone else, such as a parent or a counselor do the talking, decide whether you want to be there and how much you want people to know.
• If you’re going to be away from school for a long time, consider visiting for a couple of half-days or for a few hours before going back full-time. You can also ask a friend or two to meet you outside school on your first few days back, so you don't have to walk in alone.
• Be prepared to answer questions, but if someone asks you something you don’t want to answer, it’s fine to say, “I’d rather not talk about that.”
• Be prepared for insensitive comments or questions, and try not to let them upset you.

Any information you feel comfortable giving can go a long way toward helping your classmates better understand your situation. Many people are just curious and simply want to help. Don’t forget that you don’t have to deal with any issues with your classmates by yourself. If you need help, talk with someone you trust, such as your parents, a teacher, or the school counselor.

Emotionally Preparing Your Child for Middle School

The transition to middle school can be a difficult one for most children. When you add being a pediatric cancer patient on top of that, it can add even more nerves and stress. Today we would like to share with you a few simple ways to build on emotionally preparing your child to conquer middle school.

In addition to the list below, make sure to check out our Parent & Teacher checklist as well to help with this process even more!

Emotional Preparation Tips 

1. Study the school schedule and procedures weeks before. Moving from class to class can arguably be one of the most nerve wracking aspects of middle school. By really getting to know the schedule and school's procedures will help your child feel more comfortable through out the day.
2. Discuss expectations, responsibilities and that there will be more challenging school work than before. 
3. Establish an organization plan. We would suggest designating a 3-ring binder for each class that has separate logical sections. Here are some sections you may want to include:
1. Notes
2. Readings/Articles
3. Worksheets
4. Tests/Quizzes
5. Homework TO DO
6. Graded Homework
4. Family Calendar + Child's Planner. Although this is under getting organized, we feel that it is extremely important and therefor should be it's on topic. For your family's calendar make sure you find a system that works to keep track of your entire family's schedule all in one place.-find a system that works for you. For your child's planner, make sure that they are maintaining use of it through out the year. It is easy to be good about it at the beginning of the year and lose momentum as they get more comfortable. By maintaining use of a planner will help your child stay organized and on-top of school work which is profoundly important for pediatric cancer patients who may miss more school than most.
5. Make Family Dinners or Family Time a Priority. By maintaining extended communication will help you stay involved with your child's middle school journey. It provides an opportunity for your child to tell you about the things they are excited about or if they are struggling in any areas [even socially].

10 Simple Techniques to Prepare your Little One to go to School

It seems like getting your little one ready for school can be quite the task. From simply getting them ready in the morning to actually preparing them for school itself-we want to share a few ways to make the transition from home to school easier. It is our hope that these steps are applicable to those who are participating in home school as well! Additionally, as always, this list is great for pediatric cancer patients as well as those who are not [siblings and beyond!].

1. Play board games to encourage the concept of taking turns--this could be great for those who have long treatment days!
2. Reading to your child at least 20 minutes a day, encourage interaction as you read. Ask them questions.
3. Although pediatric cancer patients are unable to frequently go to public places due to the high level of germs--come up with sanitary ways to host play dates of different ages to prepare them to interact on a multitude of levels
4. Encourage clean-up right after activity as this will be a task they are expected to complete in school
5. Ensure that you are giving them 1 step and 2 step directions to encourage the concept of following through
6. Have your child sort out various items according to a particular specification e.i. color, shape, size
7. Although high levels of activity may be difficult for pediatric cancer patients, encourage any sort of physical stimulation [this would be a great thing to consult and work with their doctor]
8. Encourage your child to draw on plain old paper. Teen with a Dream whole heartedly believes in the benefits of art therapy has on coping with cancer
9. Specifically in regards to pediatric cancer patients, discuss with your child their plan to react/discuss their cancer if it is brought up by their friends. Discuss what key words or phrases will make them feel most comfortable
10. After a day at school encourage them to discuss their day what were their favorite parts, what were their least? How can these help them grow. 

Back to School Emotional Support

Here is an easy way to ease back into school for any age! If this is your first time back since you've been diagnosed with cancer you can use this exercise to share your journey from diagnosis on and what you want people to know for the future. Never forget you can make things your own to make them better serve you. 

Goodbye Summer Story

Help your children gain closure with summer and get geared up to work by writing a “goodbye summer” story together. Sit down as a family and recall all the events of the past summer. List the vacations, the memorable meals, the crazy moments, the adventures with friends, and then put them into story form to make a lasting memory for your family to cherish. 

Going to the Moon Emotional Journey

Here is a book that continues on with our Space Theme from last week but I think it speaks to children going through cancer because it is a long journey.

And remeber picture books aren't just for little kids, even teens can benefit from reading them!

Link to order:
http://www.amazon.com/If-You-Decide-The-Moon/dp/0590483595

The concept of space

Space isn’t just a place where stars and planets are it is also something that a child needs to deal with their diagnosis and even after their treatment. Here is some advise for parents or for kids to have their parents read hopefully it will help with finding your space

Maureen Healy, MA, is a fromer art therapist and has this to say about giving kids space:

"Give them Space: Your son or daughter may or may not want to “talk about it” due to their personality, temperament and situation. As a highly effective parent, you need to give your child the space to process his or her emotions by themselves. Every child is learning what emotions are (identification), what to do with them (regulation) and how to do it (approach) so during this process of feeling deep emotions – many boys and girls need to sit with an emotion like sadness, and then with your assistance (when they are ready) learn to let it go (talk about it). But giving a child the space and allowing them the time they need to feel strong enough or comfortable enough to talk about it is very respectful.” 

it is important they have their own space to deal with their feelings and come to terms with everything that is going on, however here is a good way both parent and child can come to together and possible share some feelings, Be Creative Together, do one of our Splurge Crafts together or make a piece of art you can bring to your hospital room to brighten it up, and try talking some during it and see what happens, it may be the perfect thing to allow you to communicate and still have space. 

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