We have family friends with a DS the same age as my DD (4 years old). The mum is terminally ill (first diagnosed with cancer around the DS's 2nd birthday) - she is now in hospital not eating or drinking, and things don't look good. The dad is very distressed and is now very worried about their DS.
He's an older dad (in his 50s) and not always great at communicating. They've had a rocky relationship but he's really been there for her the past year or so. He really needs help with the the emotional side of things with his DS. I'd assumed that during the ongoing treatment for his DP they'd talked about how to support their DS through it all and had some advice, but now I'm not so sure.
I've just suggested Winston's wish today. To be honest, despite what I've said above I really have no idea what they've already been told or what they've done so far as when I've seen them we've never discussed it (although we have discussed her illness and treatment etc). I never wanted to push or seem interfering, we've just tried to be there for them with friendship, hugs, and playdates as needed.
I'd be really grateful if anyone who has sadly got any experience of this has any suggestions of how to help. Where else can he go for help? What else can he do, and what can we do as their friends?
I've only just had the phonecall to tell me that she's in hospital and it's all just so awful.