Parents Clarification of: familial coping ressources communication about disease within the adult system parental information policy Child Clarification of: cognitive understanding of disease fears, concerns and stressors individual coping ressources Family fostering open communication about disease child-appropriate translation of parental coping style COSIP Counselling Concept 3-8 sessions in 3-6 months

Burdening for Children:  diffuse imaginations and fantasies of the illness  „conspiracy of silence“ in the family  adults never show feelings of grief and fear  illness dominates the whole family life  increased feeling of responsibility

Helpful for Children:  Understanding of symptoms  open communication within the family  stress-free areas of child- and youth-adjusted life  precisely defined responsibilities  mental preparation for ongoing process

Frequent concerns of ill parents  „How can I recognize if my child needs help?“  „… when other children do not come to visit any more“  „… when my child doesn‘t come to me with his problems“  „How to deal with unposed questions?“

Reasons of parents not to talk openly with their children abou their disease wish to protect their childrén from a sad truth „children are too young.“ own strain and exhaustion from their illness fear of getting too upset with own emotions

Frequent concerns of children to keep away own fears and sorrows from their parents consoling the ill parent fear of losing the ill parent powerlessness („can‘t do anything“)