Last week, I wrote a few posts about dealing with different issues that may come up over the years in adoption situations. I received an email about an issue that I did not think about.

“My daughter’s adoptive mother was recently diagnosed with cancer. This has been hard on me, their family, and of course my daughter. I’d love it if you could suggest some ideas on ways to support my daughter and her family through this time. Our adoption is pretty open”

Cancer is a terrible disease that attacks just about anyone. Just hearing the word cancer is enough to frighten me, much less dealing with the news that someone I love and care about has cancer. Many people battle cancer and survive, but it is a tough fight and can be very draining on an individual. It’s hard to watch anyone battle this disease.

What can you do if one of your child’s adoptive parents becomes sick with cancer or some other disease or sickness?

• Provide support where needed: Depending on your adoption situation and the age of your child, you support your child through this.Be there for him or her when he/she needs to talk about what is going on.



• Help out: If you are close enough to the adoptive family offer to help out perhaps by providing a meal or something else that would be helpful.



• Pray! Prayer is powerful, so if you pray, be sure to include your child and family in your prayers.



• Cut them a little slack. During this time, if the adoptive family doesn’t call or send pictures as often, remember that it is nothing that you have done. It’s a hard time for them and they may not have felt up to calling or been able to send pictures as they normally do.

I haven’t dealt with this situation personally, so these are just ideas that I came up with if I put myself in this position. If any readers have dealt with this and could offer personal experience or advice, please do so by commenting below!

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Related Posts:
Dealing with the Name Change
Dealing with Divorce
Dealing with Moving Part 1 and Part 2