Preparing the Children has been a leading resource for families facing serious illness and death for many years. Here's why:

• It is written in a clear and simple style for families with limited time and energy.


• It gives information about children's needs starting from the time a serious illness is diagnosed.


• It gives medical information about what to expect based on the author's experience as a hospice nurse.


• It offers hundreds of practical ideas of ways to meet children's needs.


• It has many photos showing real families experiencing serious illness and death.

Preparing the Children has 3 main sections:

1. What Children Need During the Serious Illness


2. What Children Need During the Days Surrounding the Death


3. What Children Need to Heal From Their Loss

Ideas include:

• Explaining death to children


• Using non-verbal ways to help children express their feelings


• Ways children can participate in the care of the ill person


• Things the ill person can do that will help children after they are gone


• Limit setting during the illness


• Including children in the death and death rituals


• Creative ways to remember the person who died


• Many more . . .