Encourage your teen to stay as connected as possible with their peers. Having friends around is incredibly important through the teenage years, but it can be a challenge for teenagers who are not regularly attending school. Friends can be an amazing source of support through a teenager’s cancer journey. Remember to give your teenager privacy when friends visit.
Be aware that your teenager’s friends might also keep their distance. They may find it hard to know exactly how to support your teen, which may make your teen feel hurt, disappointed or angry. Talk to your teenager about their friendships, and encourage them to consider the fact that their friends may not always know about cancer or how to support them through it. Encourage them to keep reaching out to their friends and helping their peers understand what they’re going through. The communication section in the teen program has suggestions to help your teenager stay connected with their peer group.