When a child is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, often his or her family members feel the stress as they try to learn how to help their child/sibling cope with Crohn’s disease. At the same time they may be attempting to find ways to cope with it themselves.
Communication and knowledge of the disease are two key tools in coping with a child’s condition. In this way, parents become advocates for their children, educating teachers, other family members, and friends about their child’s disease. Likewise, children feel the support they need to face the challenges of both pediatric Crohn’s disease and growing up.
The challenges to family life
Caring for a child with Crohn’s disease can be challenging and stressful for parents. It can be heartbreaking to watch your child suffer symptoms and cope with the emotional impact of the disease.
Likewise, it also takes some coping strategies to understand the needs of a child with Crohn’s, as well as to other family members who do not have the disease. Some children may feel resentful or jealous because a sibling with Crohn’s requires special attention. They may not understand that this special attention is necessary because of the severity of the symptoms and because of the need to remain knowledgeable about the disease in order to manage it effectively.
There may be dietary restrictions that are not always easy to enforce in a house consisting of children, not all of whom have Crohn’s disease. Other children in the household may also not understand that their brother or sister who has Crohn’s disease may feel a need for more privacy or may have difficulty discussing the disease, even with family members.
In addition, treatment for Crohn’s and medical care can be a financial burden for the family. This can cause stress between parents. If the child with Crohn’s is aware of the source of this stress, he or she may take the blame for such difficulties. Overall, a child with Crohn’s may feel like a burden on the family.
Getting the family involved
Parents may want to discuss their child’s condition with the whole family and explain how everyone in the family can be a part of the child’s healthcare. Cooperation, understanding, and frequent communication can benefit both the family and the child with Crohn’s.
All members of the family should learn as much as possible about Crohn’s disease so they are better able to understand what their sibling or child is going through. And the child should remain as much a part of family activities, chores, and discussions as possible. An effort should be made to make the child feel as included and vital to the family as other children in the family who do not have the disease. Everyone in the family can take a role in helping a child cope better with Crohn’s.
