When a family member has an illness, the entire family can be affected. The way that the illness is dealt with has an affect on the entire family. Some mothers or fathers feel that it is best to discuss the illness as little as possible with their children because they don't want to worry them. This can often have the opposite effect. Because the children know something is going on, but they don't know what, it often feels more scary for them. It is often best to give them as much information as they ask for. In this way they will feel part of what is going on.