Communication: The Key to Family Resilience

Communication is the foundation of strong relationships. Open dialogue helps people feel seen, heard, and valued when advocating for needs or navigating disagreements. When families face health challenges, communication is vital for moving forward. Here, we provide some communication strategies to encourage your family.

Set Boundaries and Create Realistic Expectations

Every family has its own communication style—some thrive on scheduled conversations, while others prefer spontaneity.  Regardless of your style, we recommend setting boundaries and holding realistic conversation expectations. 

It’s important to create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable expressing their emotions and concerns. We recommend carving out space for those discussions. Whether that’s once a week or after a mealtime, set aside a specific time for talking. Here, everyone can communicate freely, speak one at a time, or discuss a specific topic. 

In these moments, everyone deserves to express their voice. During discussions, ensure that each family member has the opportunity to speak. Tools like timers or talking sticks can help make sure everyone gets a turn. When setting expectations, figure out your conversation topics and how much information is realistic to share. Before or during the meeting, figure out how much information family members need or want. While some people might prefer knowing everything, others might only have mental or emotional space for a small portion.

Communicate with the Kids

Children are incredibly intuitive and impacted by family health challenges.  They, too, are impacted by illness in a family and deserve appropriate communication. However, discussing family health challenges requires sensitivity and thoughtful insight. 

We recommend tailoring each conversation topic to your children’s needs and emotional maturity. For example, some 10-year-olds might better understand and process sensitive topics than 4-year-olds. Be truthful, but restrain from overwhelming them with confusing details or information they may not understand. By specifying your explanations at their level, you can reduce anxiety and build trust with your children.

During these conversations, give children time to ask questions. Take a moment to listen thoughtfully and respond. You want them to feel supported and respected enough to share their voices and emotions! Some children might need examples, analogies, or other explanations to understand. If need be, therapists, books, or videos are a great resource to help you and your children! 

Here are some supplemental resources:

• doinggoodtogether.org/bhf-book-lists/illness-picture-books
• caringbridge.org/resources/books-for-families-with-sick-children
• pbs.org/parents/thrive/6-ways-to-talk-to-your-child-about-illness

Honor Emotions

Health challenges naturally bring out a range of emotions—anxiety, frustration, sadness—all of which are valid. It’s completely natural to feel anxiety, frustration, or even sadness. You and your loved ones can express and feel a range of emotions. 

It’s important to give space for everyone to express their emotions without judgment. Some might cry, lash out in anger, or become reserved, while others navigate their emotions through conversations, physical activity, journaling, or individual/group therapy. We recommend allowing people space to process their feelings. As a family, try group check-ins, mood charts, or intentional conversations to approach naming and navigating these emotions. But remember, these feelings are natural and completely expected!

Utilize Support Systems

Your family doesn’t have to face these challenges alone. Lean on your support system—it can help lighten the load. Support looks different for everyone. It might be extended family, close friends, community groups, or faith-based organizations. You can also explore in-person and virtual support groups. These groups cover a range of topics and offer a safe space for emotional support. You can search online for local groups or find communities on social media platforms like Facebook.

Regular check-ins or mood charts can help your family stay connected emotionally. There are also plenty of online tools to help organize and communicate your needs. Apps like Google Calendar, group chats (such as GroupMe), and MealTrain make it easy to update others, schedule caregiving, or coordinate meal deliveries. If possible, consider assigning a trusted friend or family member to help manage these updates so you don’t have to handle everything alone.

At A Week Away, we understand that navigating medical treatments and health challenges can be overwhelming. We’re here to help ease that stress. If your family needs a moment of Respite to reconnect, please reach out or apply for a week away at aweekaway.org/receive.