Moms and Dads get sick too, oftentimes seriously. Their lives and those of the rest of the family can change radically, and quickly. This book, Parenting Through Illness, offers immediate, practical and experienced advice for adult family members and others responsible for the wellbeing of children in such times of crisis.

The authors are both clinical social workers with years of training and time spent with children and families in crisis. They establish a clear and authoritative voice, while keeping a tone of encouragement throughout. With its matter-of-fact language, the book is organized to make it easy for parents to turn to the sections they most need, when they need them. Collins and Nathan keep their readers focused on the child in every situation, while always supporting reasonable boundaries in positive self-care for the adults who serve them.

Unique features:

• Deals with any kind of serious illness, not just cancer.
• Explains how children of different ages commonly react to a parent’s illness, or other family crisis.
• Suggests specific language in talking to children of various ages.
• Devotes a full chapter to advantages and disadvantages of using information technology, rarely covered in other books on this topic.
• Extensive qualitative research.
• Excerpts from interviews with parents and children coping with illness in the family.