When Your Child Has a Chronic Medical Illness A Guide for the Parenting Journey

by Sileo, Frank J.; Potter, Carol S.

• ISBN13: 9781433833816
• ISBN10: 1433833816
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2021-03-09
• Publisher: APA LifeTools

Summary

Written by leading mental health professionals, this warm and accessible parenting book for children with chronic illnesses offers clear, practical guidance for all aspects of the journey. Recommended by professionals at the American Diabetes Association, Invisible Disabilities Association, the Crohn's Colitis Foundation, and other expert national and regional sources.

For all its joys, parenting is a complex job, and when your child has a chronic illness, the stress can feel overwhelming. When your child is diagnosed, you begin a parenting journey filled with strong emotions, difficult choices, confusing words, and interactions with numerous professionals and specialists.

You’re focused on ensuring your child gets the best possible treatments for their symptoms, so it’s easy to overlook or dismiss the impact the illness can have on your relationships and emotions. This book places your psychological well-being front and center, so you can be the best caregiver possible for your child.

Along with suggestions for making laughter and mindfulness part of your daily self-care routine, it offers guidance for choosing the right therapist for your family, should extra support be needed. Every family’s journey with chronic illness is unique, but you don’t have to go it alone. This book received the Silver Medal for Parenting in the Independent Publishers Awards.

Author Biography

Frank J. Sileo, Ph.D., is a New Jersey licensed psychologist, an award-winning author, and national and international speaker.  He is the founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement, LLC, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he works with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Since 2010, he has been consistently recognized as one of New Jersey’s top kids’ doctors. He is often the “go-to” psychologist in the media for his insights on health issues and parenting. Dr. Sileo lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Learn more: www.drfranksileo.com

Carol S. Potter, MFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In her practice she has worked with individuals, families, and couples, as well as children and adolescents in school settings, and facilitated both bereavement, and anger management groups. She helped develop the strengths-oriented Best Practice Parenting program for the Southern California Counseling Center. An active advocate for women survivors of domestic violence she was honored by Sojourn as the Woman of the Year in 1994. Ms. Potter played Cindy Walsh, one of television’s most beloved mothers, on Beverly Hills 90210. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Learn more: www.carolpotter.net.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
The Unexpected Journey Begins
Chapter 1. Navigating Your Feelings
Chapter 2. Staying Healthy on the Journey
Chapter 3. Getting What You Need on the Road to the New Normal
Chapter 4. Communicating With Your Child: It's a Two-Way Street
Chapter 5. Your Co-Pilots: Other Parents and Parent Figures in Your Child’s Life
Chapter 6. Getting Everyone on Board: Siblings and Other Family Members
Chapter 7. Mechanics of Working With the Medical Team
Chapter 8: Mechanics of Working With the School Team
Chapter 9: The Cone Zone: Setting Healthy Boundaries
Chapter 10. When Your Journey Includes Hospital Stays
Chapter 11. The Journey Through Death and Beyond
Chapter 12. Concluding Thoughts: Building Resilience on the Journey
Resources for Your Journey
Notes
About the Authors