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What About Me?: Well Children With Sick Siblings
A sick or injured child can disrupt the best of families. Parents are frequently so focused on the sick child that well siblings may feel abandoned. In spite of the love they feel for their sibling, a well child may be annoyed with all the attention their sick sibling receives. The well child may feel guilty about their anger or annoyance. Conflicting emotions can overwhelm the healthiest child. This book hopes to demonstrate to the healthy child that their feelings are normal, acceptable and guilt is not necessary. The book also hopes to alleviate any of the well child's feelings of alienation and loneliness by reassuring them of their parents love.
26 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2010
About the author
William G. Bentrim
59 books79 followersI am currently working hard as an author, my 4th career. I owned and operated a convenience store for 10 years and a computer networking company for 25 years. I was a school teacher and counselor in the public schools. I am a proud husband, father and grandfather. I am someone who cares about the people around me, who wants to improve the society we all live in, who hopes on a daily basis to leave the planet a little better than it was the previous day and who is cognizant that the impact I have on the world is minimal. Tilting at windmills is a part of my character as is a deep love for all those who need to be loved. In my own mind I am a complex, multi-layered, unique character in the kaleidoscoping drama of life.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 21, 2012
What About Me is a cute little book, addressing the issue of a sick sibling who gets all of the attention and the other is feeling left out, angry or guilty. He uses cute little bear cartoons and simple language for kids to understand.
It tells of Bradley who is having mixed emotions because his sister has broken her leg. He talks all about his feelings and how he deals with them. Then his dad comes in to talk to Bradley and to comfort him.
If you have a child in this situation or knows of a child, this book would be a wonderful tool to help him/her understand that they are not alone and that other children feel the same way. Highly recommend this one!
It tells of Bradley who is having mixed emotions because his sister has broken her leg. He talks all about his feelings and how he deals with them. Then his dad comes in to talk to Bradley and to comfort him.
If you have a child in this situation or knows of a child, this book would be a wonderful tool to help him/her understand that they are not alone and that other children feel the same way. Highly recommend this one!
April 26, 2010
William G. Bentrim’s latest book "What About Me?" really hits the mark in dealing with a child’s mixed emotions when a sibling is ill or hurt. Most children have experienced the feeling of being left out but it’s doubly hard when they’re left out by their own family. This can happen when there’s illness within a family and it’s very upsetting and confusing for the child. Often beyond the child’s control, jealousy and anger may result, causing more problems for the family unit already under stress.
"What About Me?" deals with this situation beautifully. As parents we’re so involved with the child who is ill or has been hurt that we tend to spend less time with the well child. We try to explain what’s happening but we’re already stressed so don’t have the time our healthy child needs. And, of course, we assume the child understands since his or her brother or sister is ill. It’s difficult for the parents to juggle the different types of needs of both the ill and well child.
The well child loves his or her sibling but feels alone and possibly some guilt about the ill sister or brother. Besides the “neglect” the child is feeling the phone calls, cards, gifts and attention keep pouring in – for sister or brother. It can be a lonely and sad time for any child. This book helps children understand that parents still love their child even if they don’t have the time to show it the way they normally do.
The story is enjoyable for children to read but it also teaches a good lesson – for both child and parent. The illustrations beautifully show the emotions that Bradley is going through as he deals with his feelings over Bonnie’s broken leg. This adorable book is good for any child as he or she will most likely experience this at some time during childhood. I highly recommend William G. Bentrim’s "What About Me?"
"What About Me?" deals with this situation beautifully. As parents we’re so involved with the child who is ill or has been hurt that we tend to spend less time with the well child. We try to explain what’s happening but we’re already stressed so don’t have the time our healthy child needs. And, of course, we assume the child understands since his or her brother or sister is ill. It’s difficult for the parents to juggle the different types of needs of both the ill and well child.
The well child loves his or her sibling but feels alone and possibly some guilt about the ill sister or brother. Besides the “neglect” the child is feeling the phone calls, cards, gifts and attention keep pouring in – for sister or brother. It can be a lonely and sad time for any child. This book helps children understand that parents still love their child even if they don’t have the time to show it the way they normally do.
The story is enjoyable for children to read but it also teaches a good lesson – for both child and parent. The illustrations beautifully show the emotions that Bradley is going through as he deals with his feelings over Bonnie’s broken leg. This adorable book is good for any child as he or she will most likely experience this at some time during childhood. I highly recommend William G. Bentrim’s "What About Me?"
May 12, 2010
William G. Bentrim creates special books for children. He uses kindness and sensitivity to create stories for children going through difficult times. Using the same type of bear characters from some of his previous books, Mr. Bentrim shows much wisdom in his approach to difficult subjects that cause stress in children.
What About Me? is for children with a sibling with a sickness or injury and explores the feelings of guilt, neglect, or jealously they may experience when the parents are busy caring for the sibling. As he did in his previous books, the author has resources and coping tools for the parent to use. What I appreciate most about Mr. Bentrims books and parental helps is that he always encourages the help of grandparents and other relatives. Family – that is what is important in his books.
What About Me? is for children with a sibling with a sickness or injury and explores the feelings of guilt, neglect, or jealously they may experience when the parents are busy caring for the sibling. As he did in his previous books, the author has resources and coping tools for the parent to use. What I appreciate most about Mr. Bentrims books and parental helps is that he always encourages the help of grandparents and other relatives. Family – that is what is important in his books.
May 11, 2010
What About Me is a cute little book, addressing the issue of a sick sibling who gets all of the attention and the other is feeling left out, angry or guilty. He uses cute little bear cartoons and simple language for kids to understand.
It tells of Bradley who is having mixed emotions because his sister has broken her leg. He talks all about his feelings and how he deals with them. Then his dad comes in to talk to Bradley and to comfort him.
If you have a child in this situation or knows of a child, this book would be a wonderful tool to help him/her understand that they are not alone and that other children feel the same way. Highly recommend this one!
It tells of Bradley who is having mixed emotions because his sister has broken her leg. He talks all about his feelings and how he deals with them. Then his dad comes in to talk to Bradley and to comfort him.
If you have a child in this situation or knows of a child, this book would be a wonderful tool to help him/her understand that they are not alone and that other children feel the same way. Highly recommend this one!
April 15, 2011
What a wonderful story! William G. Bentrim connects with the young reader from beginning to end. He effortlessly presents a situation that most children will relate to at sometime or other, and takes them by the hand leading them gently through complex feelings. Emotions of jealousy, anger and resentment are all addressed with ease and perfectly entwined in the story line. Some authors have a gift in connecting with young minds and William G. Bentrim is one of them. I will be recommending 'What about me' without a shadow of a doubt.
Annie Frame
Annie Frame
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews