Home  › ... Themes › Meaning

Finding meaning when your child is seriously ill

Finding meaning when your child is seriously ill

When you care for a child with a life-threatening condition, your vision for the future for you and your family changes. It can take time and effort to find new meaning or purpose in your life. It's important to pay attention to this. If needed, you or someone else in your family can get help.

Finding meaning when your child is seriously ill
Meaning
fa-lightbulb

What does meaning mean?

Meaning is about what gives your life meaning. It can be about what you value as a family, what gives you stability, and how you cope with uncertainty and loss. It involves questions like: What is important to me? What do I need to survive? What does this mean for me and my family? Why is this happening to us? What's next?

For whom?
fa-user-alt

For whom is meaning important?

Finding meaning is important for everyone in and around the family: for parents, siblings, and everyone closely involved with the family. Each family member experiences the illness in their own way and has different questions and needs. Focusing on finding meaning helps create space for emotions, wishes, and concerns and can provide peace and direction during a difficult and confusing time. As a parent, you're often so busy caring for your child that you lose sight of your own needs. You're in survival mode and feel guilty about any caregiving needs or the burden of caring for yourself.


Care and work
fa-briefcase

Combining care and work

If you're dealing with childcare, it can be difficult to combine intensive caregiving duties with your job. Yet, at the same time, your work can also be fulfilling. As Karianne describes it in an episode of our podcast series "Tussen Ons" (Between Us) : "Since I have a sick child, I'm very rarely myself, except at work." Read more information, tips, and practical tools that can help you combine childcare and work .


Subsidy scheme
fa-money-bill-wave

Subsidy Scheme for Spiritual Care Impulse

Thanks to the Spiritual Care Impulse program, families can receive a subsidy to cover up to five consultations with a spiritual counselor. A spiritual counselor can help you cope with issues such as fear, hope, powerlessness, connection, or separation. The program allows you to receive support early on, even when there is still a lot of uncertainty about the course of the illness.

Who is the subsidy for?

Professionals and parents are increasingly applying for the subsidy. It's important to have insight into which families are eligible, the quality requirements for the professionals who support them, and how we can support as many families as possible. In short, the subsidy focuses on the following groups:

  • Children who have died (up to 2 years ago), we provide support to the entire family through the subsidy
  • Children with a life-shortening condition that will not get better, we support the entire family
  • Children of seriously ill parents ( KIEZO ) or parents who have died (up to 2 years ago), we only guide the children
Toolkit for aid workers
fa-tools

Toolkit for healthcare providers

Childcare is increasingly using tools to help parents, children, and professionals discuss meaning. The Connect toolkit is a practical method for caregivers to have meaningful conversations. The materials help visualize the feelings, experiences, and wishes of children and parents. This can provide peace of mind and help tailor care more effectively to the family's needs.

Would you like to contact a spiritual counselor or grief counselor? Then contact the network coordinator of the Integrated Childcare Network (NIK) in your region. The coordinator can help you further.

Support

Need support? Please contact the NIK Network Coordinator in your region.

Incompany training:  

Wil jij de medewerkers van jouw zorgorganisatie op een praktijkgerichte manier kennis en vaardigheden met betrekking tot betekenisgeving en levensvragen bijbrengen? Dan is de incompany training Betekenisgeving binnen de kinderpalliatieve zorg een mooie training om aan te bieden. 



Gerelateerde boeken

Zo blijf je als moeder van een ziek kind overeind

Zo blijf je als moeder van een ziek kind overeind

Emy haalt het, ze doet het goed. Totdat Emy complicaties krijgt, de dagen zwaarder worden, de wereld kleiner 

Mindful omgaan met verlies

Mindful omgaan met verlies

Zes mensen, die allen een ingrijpend verlies hebben meegemaakt, vertellen openhartig hun verhaal. Zij belichten daarin de betekenis van mindfulness voor hun rouwproces.

Nieuws rondom Zingeving

Heb je nog vragen?

Neem dan contact op met:

Het Kenniscentrum Kinderpalliatieve Zorg