my sister abbie who is eleven years old, and my dad (her dad too) is dying from a brain tumor. hes only got a few weeks left and i wondered if thats why she hates school. is it because shes always thinking about dad or what? she says its not the teachers or the other children. I don't know what to do she is so depressed please help me!!!???? thank you
ellie shanahan x
Update:my mum is in the picture and she is finding it really hard but she is like me and she keeps it lock up inside of her untill she is alone!! we have tried everything wit abbie! councilling and talking to her on her own etc... shes not talking eating smilling but what can u do?? its so hard when you dont know who to talk 2!! thank you so much for your advice though it has been really helpful xxx
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Yes, that is why she hates school. Not only is she depressed, but she is probably afraid your dad will die while she is at school and she won't get to be with him and say goodbye to him at the end. Is there any way both of you could formally say goodbye to him now so that she will know she expressed all her feelings to him before it was too late?
Where is your father now? In a hospital? In a hospice program at home? Many hospitals and hospice programs have expressive therapy services for children whose parents are dying, or could give you a referral for family support groups. You could probably benefit from some of this therapy yourself, since you are not only carrying the burden of your dad's illness but also of Abbie's emotional crisis. You don't mention your mom. Is she in the picture and how is she handling it?