Support for you as a parent
Taking care of yourself, your child and your surroundings
Your child’s treatment often means adjusting and reorganizing your family’s daily life. The following tips may help you along the way. You can always contact a medical social worker if you’d like to discuss your situation and explore options together.
Impact on family and relationships
We have also made videos to help you and your family deal with everything that comes your way.
Watch videosFinance
- WorkBalancing work, caring for your child, and taking care of your family can be challenging.
- Travel and accomodation costsWhen your child is treated at the Máxima Center, you often face extra expenses, such as travel, parking, or overnight stays. Fortunately, many of these costs are partly or fully reimbursed. On this page, you can read which reimbursements are available, how to apply for them, and what to keep in mind.
- Other financial arrangements and insuranceIn addition to travel reimbursements, there may be other schemes that provide financial support.
After treatment and the flower bead
When your child finishes treatment, they receive the flower bead. A special and festive moment. Alongside the relief, however, you may also feel uncertain. Returning to “normal life” can be more difficult than expected. It often takes time to find your footing again, especially since life may look different now. Many parents only start to process their experiences at this stage, which can bring up strong emotions and fatigue.
The leaflet “The flower bead and what comes next” is available from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Association. You can also ask your healthcare provider for a copy.
When your child cannot be cured
If treatments are no longer effective, or if there is no available treatment, and a child is nearing the end of life, social work, the pediatric palliative care team, and your child life specialist can help you with making memories, decisions, or finding a funeral director. They can also refer you to grief and loss counseling in your region or other support services. After your child passes away, they can offer follow-up care and help you find appropriate support in your area.
You can find more information on the website Koesterkind.