Sibling support

Cook Children's Sib2Sib program

Having a brother or sister with a chronic health challenge or life-changing injury can be hard. Siblings may feel left out or have unmet needs while their parents need to focus a little extra attention on the child who is ill. Cook Children’s Sib2Sib Program™ helps to provide the sisters and brothers of patients with attention, support and encouragement. We do this directly by helping you know how to help the special siblings in your family. There are many ways to provide them with the extra support they need at Cook Children's.

Ages and stages

Siblings have unique needs based on their age. As siblings grow, their needs and the type of support they require will change. Below you'll find age-specific information for toddlers and preschoolers, school-age kids, and teens.

Toddlers and preschoolers may have needs related to separation from caregivers, confusion or misconceptions about what is happening, emotions such as jealousy and anger and other needs. Read more about this age group’s needs and ways to support them.

Support: ages 2-5 years Apoyo: edad de 2 a 5 años

School-age children may have needs related to information about their sibling's diagnosis and care, misconceptions and questions, social interactions, and other needs. Read more about this age group's needs and ways to support them.

Support: ages 5-12 years Apoyo: edades de 5 a 12 años

Teens may have needs related to information about their sibling's diagnosis and care, questions about the future, responsibilities, peers, and other needs. Read more about this age group's needs and ways to support them.

Support: ages 13-18 years Apoyo: edades de 13 a 18 años

Sibling Tour of Cook Children's Medical Center

Having a sibling in the hospital can be tough for those left at home. Check out Brie and Steve, two of our facility dogs, trying to navigate this tricky situation.

Sibling services and events

Cook Children's Sib2Sib Program

The sibling program was created to reduce some of the stress these children face. The program allows siblings to:

Build relationships with other siblings who are going through similar situations
Recognize their unique qualities and gifts
Express their feelings about having chronically ill brothers or sisters
Have fun outside of their daily routines
Be supported by encouraging adults

This program includes several components

Camp Courage: A day camp for school-aged siblings
Camp Courage Teen: A weekend retreat for siblings between the ages of 12 ½ and 18 years old. This camp occurs each spring at Camp John Marc in Meridian, Texas
Sibling playshops: Workshops at Cook Children's for school-aged children that include art, games, snacks and other ways to explore being a sibling
Field trips and other special events: Includes outings like Texas Rangers™ baseball and Dallas Mavericks™ basketball games, an afternoon of painting and special guests
Family activities: Families with a child in the sibling program are invited to parties for the whole family twice a year

To participate in any programming, families need to register.

Registration form (is there a way they could fill it out on line and return it to our mailbox? sibprogram@cookchildrens.org)

For more information about these programs:

682-885-5872

sibprogram@cookchildrens.org

Individual Sibling Support

During a hospitalization, siblings often also have needs. Child Life Specialists can support siblings too! Support services for siblings include, but are not limited to:

Providing ideas or activities to help siblings and patient feel connected throughout the hospitalization
Preparing siblings for visiting the hospital, by explaining why their brother or sister is here and what they will see in the room
Distraction, play, and normalization while siblings are at the hospital
Providing opportunity for emotional expression or therapeutic conversation
Educating siblings on their brother/sister's new diagnosis or injury
Assisting in teaching siblings coping skills
School programs for siblings' peers
Providing books and written resources that encourage emotional expression and positive coping for siblings
Creating memories through family activities and artwork
Supporting siblings at end of life

If you feel like your child would benefit from sibling support by a Child Life Specialist, please request to see the Child Life Specialist in your unit

Resources

How to Help Children Cope with a Sibling's Chronic Illness, Andrea M. Risi | Good Therapy

This is an article written for parents by a LPC (licensed … counselor). It outlines both the impact of living with a sibling with chronic illness and ways parents can help.

Siblings of Children with Chronic Illness or Disability | American Academy of Pediatrics

This overview of the emotional needs of siblings includes suggestions for ways parents can help siblings cope with having a brother or sister who needs more attention.

The Sibling Support Project

This is where it all started. This is the mother (or father since it was created by Don Meyer) organization of Sibshop programming. It is run by siblings for siblings and includes information, resources, activities-including a forum for brothers and sisters- and training for anyone interested in learning more about the needs of siblings or becoming a Sibshop facilitator.

“Just Because” by Rebecca Elliott (Ages 3+)
“Sometimes” by Rebecca Elliott (Ages 5-7)
“Hi, My Name is Jack” by Christina Beall-Sullivan (Ages 3-12)
“Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs” By Donald Joseph Meyer (Ages 9-12)
“The Sibling Slam Book: What It's Really Like To Have A Brother Or Sister With Special Needs” by Don Meyer (Tweens and Teens)

“My Liddle Buddy Jake,” by Cristine Thomas (Ages 4-8) |
This is a great book to explain death, heaven, spirit and Jesus to a child who has lost a younger sibling suddenly.
“A Butterfly for Brittany: A Children’s Book About the Death of Another Child, from a Child’s Point of View,” by Cristine Thomas (Ages 3-7)
A beautifully written and illustrated children’s book of how children cope with the loss of another child to cancer.
“This Book Is For All Kids, Especially My Sister Libby. Libby died,” by Jewel Simon (Ages 4-8)
Everyone experiences grief, but children express it differently. Afraid to ask questions that might make someone sadder, children often keep their sorrow locked inside.
“Last Week My Brother Anthony Died,” by Martha W. Hickman (Ages 4-8)
A small girl named Julie describes her feelings following the death of her four-week-old baby brother.
“Where’s Jess: For Children Who Have a Brother or Sister Die,” by Marvin Johnson (Ages 4-8)
This book is about a little boy whose sister dies and he notices that she is gone. His parents explain death to him and let him know that it is okay to talk about her. It’s a great book for children who think it is not okay to talk about the death of their sibling.

“Besos y abrazos al aire [Flying Hugs and Kisses],” by Jewel Sample (Ages 4-8)
A great resource for
“Missing Hannah: Based on a True Story of Sudden Infant Death” (Ages 4-8)
This simple picture book is written to help children understand the feelings and thoughts of a little girl who lost her sister.

“Andy and His Yellow Frisbee,” by Mary Thompson (Ages 4-8)

This book is useful in helping kids understand that kids with special needs deserve kindness as much as anybody else.

“All About My Brother,” by Sarah Peralta (Ages 4-8)

This book gives insight to children about children with autism. The book is from the perspective of Sarah whose brother is autistic.

“Everybody is Different,” By Fiona Bleach (Ages 9-12)

“Everybody is Different” is made to answer questions that brothers and sisters have regarding their sibling having autism. It uses basic terms and offers suggestions for families to make family life more comfortable for everyone.

“Since We’re Friends: Autism Picture Book,” by Celeste Shally (Ages 4-8)

This book is not necessarily designed for siblings, but it can be used for siblings to help them be nice and accept their sibling with autism.

Sibling support

Cook Children's Sib2Sib program

Ages and stages

Toddler/Preschool (2 to 5 years of age)

School-age (5 to 12 years of age)

Teens (13 to 18 years of age)

Sibling Tour of Cook Children's Medical Center

Sibling services and events

Cook Children's Sib2Sib Program

This program includes several components

Individual Sibling Support

Resources

For parents

Books for kids

Grief Books for Siblings

Sudden infant death syndrome specific books on grief for siblings

Books on Autism for Siblings

We're here to help