1. Develop a support system

1.培养一个支持系统

You and your spouse¹ will need to support each other so that taking care of your child is less stressful. You will need someone to talk to who understands what you are going through, and your spouse is the best person for that emotional support.

你和你的配偶需要互相支持，这样你们在照顾孩子的时候就会压力小一些。你需要和理解你处境的人交谈，你的配偶是给你感情支持的最佳人选。

You can also find support groups that understand what you are going through. Hospitals may have support groups or know where to find them. Do not hesitate to join a group if you need to, and do not feel guilty about it. It is normal to have the feelings you might be having during this challenging time.

你也可以找到支持理解你的处境的团队。医院或许有支持团队或者知道在哪可以找到他们。如果你需要的话，就不要犹豫去加入一个组织，不要因此感到愧疚。在这一挑战的时刻，有这种感觉，是很正常的。

2. Share the care

2.分担照料

The two of you can share caring for your child so that one of you does not get overwhelmed² or overstressed. The American Psychological Association states that a study showed that moms and dads faced similar stressors when caring for an ill child, but moms had higher stress levels, probably because they are the child’s primary caregiver. Taking care of your child also means taking care of your spouse by sharing in the care you give your child.

你们双方可以分享照顾分担照顾孩子的压力，这样你们两个人都不会感到难以承受或者压力特别大。美国心理协会陈述说一个研究表明妈妈和爸爸在照顾生病的孩子的时候，面临相似的压力源，但是妈妈的压力会更大，可能是因为妈妈是孩子最初的照料者。照顾孩子也意味着通过分担给孩子的关爱来照料你的配偶。

3. Be a support team for your child

3.做孩子的支持团队

Not only is your child having to deal with the physical side of the illness, but he also has to deal with the emotional and social side of it as well. Children will feel isolated³, depressed⁴, and lonely. Provide opportunities for your child to experience his childhood as much as possible.

你的孩子不仅需要应对身体方面的疾病，他还需要处理感情和社会方面的问题。孩子会感觉孤立，失望和孤独。尽可能要给孩子机会去体验他的童年。

If your child is able to attend school, he will be faced with uncomfortable situations that leave him feeling like an outcast. This is especially distressing⁵ to children as they just want to fit in and be “normal.”

如果你的孩子能够去上学了，他讲面临不舒服的情况，会让他感觉自己像是被驱逐的人。因为孩子只想适应学校环境，做“正常”的孩子，这让他们感到很痛苦。

Help your child know what to tell kids who ask questions about his illness. Be a support team, but don’t be overprotective either. Be there for him in the way that he needs, or find the professional help he needs.

帮助你的孩子，让他知道当有孩子问到他的疾病的时候，应该怎么回答。做他的支持团队，但是不要也过度保护。在他需要的时候陪在他的身边，或者寻找他需要的专业帮助。