Grandparent's Corner
Knowing how to help your child as they parent a chronically or critically ill child can be hard to navigate. Sometimes you don't know where to start. We are here to help answer some common questions.
Grandparents who have been traveling this road
Medical Advice
Unless your child asks for your help regarding treatment options, limit sharing your opinion. You love your grandchild as much as your child does. However, trust that your child has been seeking the best possible treatment for their own child, just as you would. Don’t let treatment options become a power battle between you and your child. Having strong opinions pushed on them, will only add to your child’s stress.
Oraganize a Day of Fasting and Prayer
One way to be connected to the situation is by organizing a special day to devote to praying and/or fasting for your grandchild. Getting others involved, can create more community of support for your family. Make sure to get your child’s permission before sharing information. They may not be ready for others to know certain information while they are still processing it themselves.
How much help is too much?
You may not know exactly how much help to provide your child, especially if your grandchild has been recently diagnosed. Use this guide below to ask your child how much help they want. Keep in mind their answers may change depending on circumstances, so check back in with your child periodically to see how you can help. This will be a balancing act between being overpowering and not present enough.
Ask your child in what areas you can help:
When your grandchild is in the hospital or having a difficult spell, it may be helpful to organize meals to be taken care of for your child’s family. Meal Train can be a great tool to make this easy to organize. There’s no cost, it’s easy to set up and they will even send reminders! https://www.mealtrain.com/
Your child may become overwhelmed with doctor visits, therapy appointments or hospital stays with your grandchild. Making sure your other grandchildren are taken care of can be very helpful. It may also be a good opportunity to spend quality time with them. Many times, siblings feel overlooked when so much attention is placed on the sick child. Spending one on one time with them may be greatly appreciated.
Never underestimate the value of a clean home (and not having to do it themselves!)
Taking care of animals during hospital stays can be a big help. However, your child may prefer taking a break from the hospital to spend some time with their animals while you stay at the hospital with your grandchild. Be sure to always check with your child to see what they would prefer.
Want to help us make a difference in the lives of chronically and critically ill children?
Families are already overwhelmed with medical bills and expenses related to caring for their child. So, our services are provided at no cost.
Help us continue making an impact in our community!
When your grandchild has a chronic or critical illness, know that your support will be needed for the long haul. Help when your able, at a level your child is comfortable with.
Be watchful for the beauty among the ashes. Your grandchild's illness may be a bonding opportunity for your entire family.
Our mission
“Critically Loved exists to provide guidance and hope for families of chronically or critically ill children.”
We are in this together
Much Love
“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:7