My father-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease nearly 10 years ago.

His tremor is noticeable and my daughter has known there is something that makes her Papas hands shake.

She just found out her cousin had died from a stroke.

During the phone call, my daughter played in an adjoining room.

A little later, my wife noticed our daughter was no longer working on her craft.

She was restless, fidgety and unfocused.

She would start something, stop, then move to something else.

This wasnt her normal behavior.

Heres what Ive learned about talking to kids about disease and illness.

Cheryl Mayer is a licensed social worker in a school district in Syracuse, New York.

Shes had to deliver news to children that their parent or friend has cancer or has died.

Focusing on helping them get comfortable with symptoms is the best thing, she says.

But Gesek says their age should dictate what comes next.

You would talk to a 16-year-old differently than a kindergartner.

I believe in honesty, but feel it should be developmentally appropriate, she says.

Children under three wont get much.

Young kids are pretty resilient and can handle more than you think.

Bits of information over time can prevent a young child from becoming overwhelmed.

Mayer added sometimes affirming the childs feelings is enough.

But even though Im worried, I know Grandpa is seeing the exact doctor who can help however possible.

Mayer says its important for adults to model and walk them through ways of handling it.

Above all else, both Gesek and Mayer stress tackling the situation head on.

Kids build resilience from challenging situations, Gesek says.

Hiding them from it takes away opportunities to build strength and grit.

Mayer reflects on her own parenting in her approach.

Kids experience the greatest problems when we shelter them rather than helping them to understand, she says.

Perhaps they can push a wheelchair, make them a card or just hold their hand.

If you feel your child could use extra emotional support, seek a childrens counselor or other professional.

And dont forget to take care of yourself, too.

Above all else, remember that you are human.

I dont know, Mayer says, is a completely acceptable answer.