Talking to siblings about treatment

We know hospitalization is not only stressful for parents and patients. Brothers and sisters feel the effects as well. By talking to siblings about what is going on and reassuring their fears, parents and caregivers can make the situation easier for the entire family.

Because we practice family-centered care, we offer siblings support. To request support from a Child Life specialist during your child's next hospital visit or procedure, call 773.880.4000 and ask for extension 2060.

Siblings' typical feelings

• Guilt (about angry thoughts or wishes; feeling responsible)

• Fear (of what is happening at the hospital; "catching" illness)
• Anger or jealousy (towards parents or the hospitalized child)
• Abandonment/neglect (who's going to take care of them?)
• Rejection (feeling left out, not as important)
• Confusion (where is their sibling?)

Ways to help

• Encourage brothers and sisters to visit to help ease their fears.
• Help children express their feelings or concerns, and reinforce to them that all feelings are normal.
• Try to spend time at home, if possible, during the hospitalization.
• If time at home isn't possible, call siblings daily and send pictures.
• Spend time with each individual child after the hospitalization.
• Acknowledge and try to understand siblings' feelings.
• Use teachers, neighbors and family friends as a resource for help.
• Try to keep a normal routine and schedule.
• Share information with the sibling, prepare child for visits and read books about hospitals.

Siblings may:

• Exhibit behavior changes as a result of a siblings' hospitalization.

• Become more demanding, clingy, and whiny, and may have difficulty separating.
• Have nightmares or difficulty sleeping.
• Ignore you when you come home. They are telling you they need your patience and love. Usually after things settle down and the family is in the same routine, these behaviors go away.