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Supernanny Jo Frost shares tips for telling a child someone they love has cancer
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Supernanny Jo Frost shares tips for telling a child someone they love has cancer
Jo Frost and Princess Kate split© Getty

Supernanny Jo Frost shares tips for telling a child someone they love has cancer

The global parenting expert shares her advice for mothers like Princess Kate

Katie Daly
Lifestyle Writer
March 23, 2024
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Many have shared tributes to the Princess of Wales since she announced on Friday via a video message that she has been diagnosed with cancer. 

Among the messages for the Princess herself, are those for her three young children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, at this difficult time. The Princess shared that signs of cancer had been detected following her planned abdominal surgery in January which she is now receiving "preventative" chemotherapy to treat.

kate middleton prince george prince louis princess charlotte mothers day© The Prince of Wales
Kate is a doting mother-of-three

The doting mother-of-three mentioned her children in her message, explaining how she and her husband Prince William took time to process before in a way that was "appropriate" for their age. 

Kate Middleton in a light blue outfit© Getty
The Princess shared the news via a video message on Friday

Princess Kate, 42, said: "William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.  

Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George© Getty
Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George are Kate's young children

"As you can imagine, this has taken time," she continued. "It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok."

Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis walking with Kate Middleton and Prince William© Getty
Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis were last seen with their parents on Christmas Day

Princess Kate also took the opportunity to acknowledge those watching who, like herself, have been affected by cancer. "At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer," the royal said. "For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."

Kate Middleton wearing red coat and holding Princess Charlotte's hand in Cardiff© Getty
Kate and William took time to process before telling the children

Sharing a special message following the mother-of-three's diagnosis was global parenting expert, childcare specialist, and star of Supernanny Jo Frost.

Jo Frost smiling© Gregg DeGuire
Jo Frost has shared a special message for Princess Kate

"The shocking news of the Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis no doubt stopped millions of families worldwide in their tracks today for a moment of reflection, either in regard to their own experiences of living with, battling personally through or supporting someone with this undiscriminating disease," Jo said. 

Jo Frost talking into mic© Getty

"For every family, it is a circumstance of such heightened mixed emotions, a rollercoaster you want to get off and one bravely our Princess of Wales has bought more awareness to today in her message of hope and compassion regarding all living with," the parenting expert continued. 

She concluded: "To Catherine and all families soldiering through my deepest heart felt wishes of strength courage, compassion and resilience for a full recovery."

Prince Georg, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Platinum Pageant on June 5, 2022 in London© Getty
Read Jo's advice for communicating with young children like the Wales'

Jo Frost has also shared a set of tips for those who find themselves in a similar situation as the Princess, having to share news of a cancer diagnosis with a child. 

Jo Frost's advice for telling a child someone they love has cancer

  • Be honest and open and in a place that is more comfortable for them if possible.
  • Use words they will understand, this depends on their age and their understanding of the disease.
  • Find the balance between too much information and too little, opening up the opportunity to ask questions and curiosity.
  • Explain the physical changes they might see, this helps them to expect when changes occur.
  • Explain cancer is a serious illness and that there are different treatments and remain optimistic because this is still keeping the conversation real whilst living very hopeful.
  • Let them have open opportunities to ask questions and express their feelings at different times beyond the time you sit down together. 
  • Children might blame themselves and ask if it was them who caused it and so it is very important to state that people of all walks of life experience such diagnosis of cancer.
  • There is no written script, no 'right way' you know your child best, so how you handle this sensitive conversation I believe is in your trusted loving hands.

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