Telling your Children
My son is 8 yo, I know eventually I am going to need to tell him. Any advice? Did anyone wait for a certain age?
Hi Ze, this is a tough one. My husband and I struggled with this one too. We decided to give them age appropriate presentations about our condition. The reason we did that is that we didn't want them to hear it from anyone else. Presentation is everything and no one can present it better than us their parents. So every few years we revisited the subject. You know your child's understanding better than anyone evaluate when you believe he is ready. Take a deep breathe, our children surprised us with their understanding and their solid support to this day and they are all grown now.
I truly think this response was one that I needed to see. These conversations we have are anything short of easy but having a support system/community will help. -Ze (Team Member) Thank you Ze. Grateful for this community and the opportunity to share our journey. We want to see this community grow and thrive in 2022.
Alafia (Peace) I shared my status with each of my son's when they were 10 years old. By then they had heard about HIV and knew some of the basics. Khafre (Team Member) Thanks Khafre. He is approaching double digits sooner than later, and think that I will talk to him before too long. I cannot lie, but I am afraid. - Ze (Team Member)
My kids were in their teens and late teens. I told each of them separately and got a different reaction from each of them. Their concern was for my wife more so as was mine when I found out I was infected I think everyone will react based on what they know about HIV/AIDS, the stigmas that go with it become reality and education becomes important so they don't feel assaulted or stay angry with you. Good luck on your journey and know it gets easier with time but the reminder never goes away. God bless!
Hi
, we appreciate you sharing your experiencing sharing your status with your children. You bring up such a good point about people reacting based on what they already know (stigmas and all) and that education is so important. That way they're not basing all they know about it solely on the stigmas. Your experience of it getting easier with time, is also so helpful. Thank you so much for being a part of the community here and sharing your experience and knowledge. How are you managing currently? Wishing you a gentle day. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
