Whether it's them or a family member, talking to children about illness and devastating diagnosis is one of the toughest things a parent or guardian has to do. Yet, no one, like the rest of raising a child, has a manual for the best way to do that.

So, of course, Sarah and Kelly tackle it head-on with Dr. Virginia Crabtree of St. Jude. They dive into what to say and when to say it, and comments to avoid for both parents and kids when dealing with a topic that we would rather never have to talk about.

Bring the tissues on this one, Forkkers. Join Us on the Unchosen Fork.

Guest Bio: Dr. Virginia Crabtree
Dr. Valerie Crabtree is a full faculty Member in the Department of Psychology and Chief of Psychosocial Services at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She holds a PhD in counseling psychology, and her specialty training is in pediatric behavioral sleep medicine, with a completed post-doctoral fellowship and faculty position in the Division of Pediatric Sleep Medicine at the University of Louisville. Dr. Crabtree’s research interests include sleep disturbances, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness in children undergoing active treatment for cancer as well as in cancer survivors.

Dr. Crabtree is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine and provides clinical services to children with cancer and hematological disorders, with a focus on directed interventions to improve sleep and fatigue in this population. She also has an interest in sleep and fatigue among medical trainees and has both published and presented on this topic across audiences. Dr. Crabtree and her co-author, Dr. Lisa Meltzer, published a book in 2015 entitled, “Pediatric Sleep Problems: A Clinician’s Guide to Behavioral Interventions.”

Follow the Unchosen Fork:

Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast, including text, graphics, images, and other materials created and/or disseminated by The Unchosen Fork are for informational purposes only. The Contents are NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, before beginning a nutritional plan and/or taking nutritional supplements. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast, others content appearing on this podcast, or other visitors to the Site is solely at your own risk. None of the contents of this podcast are intended to be relied upon for medical treatment or diagnosis. The Unchosen Fork, their affiliates, nor any of the host family members assumes any liability or responsibility for damage or injury to person or property arising from any use of any product, service, information, or instruction contained on this Podcast.