Helping Children Understand

When change happens to the family, it can be a very challenging time for the adults.  It can be just as confusing for the children in the family.  We sometimes overlook how the stresses that adults feel impact the children in our lives.  We also may not realize just how much they are observing, absorbing or struggling to understand.  

When my husband and I were working to finalize the adoption of our little one, our case worker and kiddo's therapist suggested a number of books to help normalize and explain adoption to our child.  Two years later, we still read the books when we see our child struggling with a topic.  I think the same approach would be helpful in explaining and normalizing the confusing family changes that accompany dementia joining the family.

While my children and I have had numerous conversations about the changes in Lyn's brain, it may help them to see that our situation is common enough that someone has written a book on the topic.  This approach will be more helpful to my little one though I think my eldest child will benefit as well.  

So, if this concept is of help in your own family, here are some books we can use.  

What's Wrong with Grandpa?: a children's story about Alzheimer's Disease by Danielle Sara Cohen

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox

A Visit to Grandma's with Dignity and Grace by Terri L. Glimcher

Hugging Grandma: Loving Those with Memory Disorders by Zina Kramer

Grandpa Has Changed by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

Got Dementia? by Heather Pritchard

The Shadows at Sundown by Michael Rock

Always My Grandpa by Linda Scacco

Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants: A Story about Alzheimer's Disease for Young Children by Barbara  Schnurbush

What's Wrong with Grandma? A Family's Experience with Alzheimer's by Margaret Shawver

What's Happening to Grandpa by Maria Shriver

Visiting Poppi by Judy Spitzer

Still My Grandma by Veronique Van Den Abeele

My Grandma Has Alzheimer's Too by Joseph Voight

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator by Max Wallack

Not all of these books are about a specific disease that causes dementia like Alzheimer's.  They address the generic concept of dementia and may prove useful if your family member is dealing with Lewy Body Dementia or another dementia causing disease. 

Another resource you might find useful is the Kids and Teens page at the Alzheimer's Association.  It has links to videos and other resources for the youth in your lives.

Looks like I need to do a little shopping.  And this, lovely readers, is why a dear friend who helped us move once declared he never wanted to help a literate friend move again.  That was said after about 60 boxes of books were loaded into the moving van.  For those who prefer electronic versions, several of the books are available in Kindle format.