Parents Together

A place to learn and build connections
The mission of Parents Together is to provide a space for parents to:
- Create a toolbox of educational and supportive resources to help you manage the challenges a family faces after their child's diagnosis.
- Build connections with other parents who are experiencing similar struggles.
A childhood illness affects the whole family. Many parents find themselves overwhelmed and uncertain about how to navigate treatment and the changes it will bring. They may worry about how to best care for their child while still maintaining routines at home and caring for their other children, too.

It's common to feel isolated or lost during this challenging time. Our social workers and psychologists in Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology are here to help you manage many of these feelings and develop strategies for your whole family to get through treatment.

Parents Together helps parents of children treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center cope with treatment by providing resources and guidance in areas such as:
- Managing treatment side effects
- Helping your child take their medications
- Improving family communication
- Supporting siblings
- Accessing support for your child's education
Group Programming

Parents Together is excited to continue our partnership with Momcology®, to bring "Connections: Pediatric Cancer Caregiver Support"© to families in 2022. This group series offers parents an opportunity to connect with others who can relate to the experience of having a child undergo treatment:
- January 29, 2022: Relationship Building and Boundaries: Exploring the Complexities of Our Many Relationships
- March 19, 2022: Solution Finding: Problem Solving Under Stress
- May 21, 2022: Adapting to Change: Discovering Your New Normal
- July 23, 2022: Awareness of Self: The Importance of Self-Care
- November 12, 2022: Your Support Circle
- January 28, 2023: Cultivating Self-Compassion
- March 15, 2023: Emotional Centering – Where to Start When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed
- May 20, 2023: Navigating Through Change
Register for the Momcology series.
You can also check the Dana-Farber Events Calendar for additional programs that may be of interest.

Downloadable Tip Sheets for Patients, Families, and Caregivers

Family Communication
Fostering Good Nutrition During Treatment
Limit Setting and Behavioral Expectations When Your Child is Sick
Making the Most of Your Child’s Medical Appointment
Managing Roadblocks for Your Child’s Education
Mindfulness Activities with Children and Adults
Nausea Management
Problem-Solving
Sibling Support
Social Support
Some Simple Ways to Bring a Bit of Calm into the Chaos
Supporting Your Child During Medical Procedures
Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child is Sick
Tips and Tools for Helping Your Child Take Their Medication

Opportunities for Online Support and Education

Several online organizations offer opportunities for parents to support one another through groups, one-on-one peer matching, and chat features. Many of these organizations also offer additional opportunities for education about your child’s diagnosis, treatment, and emotional coping. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, we encourage you to check out the opportunities for support and education through the following organizations:
- Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation
- Leukemia Lymphoma Society
- National Cancer Institute
- ACCO
- Family TIES (Together in Enhancing Support)
- Courageous Parents Network
- Momcology: To access the private group for Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center on Facebook:
  - For new members: Visit momcology.org and click "Join Us" to be taken to a membership form on which you can select the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center as your group
  - For current members: Email info@momcology.org or message Momcology Admin Team via Facebook to be added to the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center group
Additional Resources to Explore

A Parent's Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer
American Childhood Cancer Organization
Dana-Farber School Liaison Program
Dana-Farber Sibling Program

Contact us

For more information about Parents Together, please email parentstogether@dfci.harvard.edu.

Supportive Community for Pediatric Caregivers

Parents Together has teamed up with Momcology® - a nonprofit support organization that provides national programs and services for primary caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer. Learn more about this exciting new partnership.
Tips to Help Pills "Go Down Easier"
Swallowing pills can be difficult, particularly for some children. With a little help from Maddie, Dana-Farber Child Life Specialist Amanda Dean, MS, CCLS and Pediatric Oncology Social Worker Larissa Hewitt, MSW, LICSW, share some tips to help make the pills go down a little easier.
Related Links to Help Children with Swallowing Pills
- Training video from Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute
- Guide from National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Back to School After a Cancer Diagnosis
Spearheaded by our Patient Activities Team at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, this video shares the voices of patients and parents in thinking about the return to school after diagnosis, and navigating the peer and academic opportunities and challenges that arise.
Supporting Your Children Through COVID-19
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund Clinic social workers, Kelsey Hamstead, MSW, LICSW, and Larissa Hewitt, MSW, LICSW, co-lead a presentation designed for parents to help children cope with challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Coping with COVID-19

Downloadable tip sheets to Help Children Cope with COVID-19

Supporting Your Children During COVID-19 Restrictions

Child Mind Institute
Welcome to the Jimmy Fund Clinic
This is a guided video tour to help patients/families find their way to the Jimmy Fund Clinic. It includes a walk through the Clinic, along with directions to Boston Children’s Hospital. Special thanks to our Patient Activities Team at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, who created this video to share a glimpse into the clinic and hospital environment.

For Patients & Families

Parents Together

A place to learn and build connections

Group Programming

Downloadable Tip Sheets for Patients, Families, and Caregivers

Opportunities for Online Support and Education

Additional Resources to Explore

Contact us

Supportive Community for Pediatric Caregivers

Related Links to Help Children with Swallowing Pills

Coping with COVID-19

Downloadable tip sheets to Help Children Cope with COVID-19