Children and Teens with a Parent with FND

FND can look different from day to day. Sometimes your parent may seem mostly fine, and other times their symptoms may be more obvious or intense. This unpredictability can make it hard to know what to expect.

You do not have to understand every detail of FND to make sense of your experience. What matters most is knowing that your parent’s symptoms are real, that they are not your fault, and that many families go through similar challenges. If you ever feel unsure or scared, it is okay to ask a trusted adult to explain things in a way that makes sense to you.

Having a parent with FND can bring up many emotions, including worry, sadness, frustration, guilt, or even anger. You might feel protective of your parent, or you might wish things were different.

All of these feelings are valid. You are allowed to love your parent and still feel tired or overwhelmed. You are allowed to want to help and also want to just be a kid or teen. You do not have to carry these feelings alone. Talking about them with someone you trust can make them feel lighter and easier to manage.

Sometimes you may feel like you have to grow up faster than your friends. You might help around the house more, check on your parent, or worry in ways that other children or teens do not.

It is important to remember that your job is still to be a child or teenager. You deserve time to play, relax, spend time with friends, and focus on school or activities you enjoy. If you ever feel like too much responsibility is falling on you, it is okay to speak up and ask for more support from another adult in your life.

You might find it difficult to explain FND to friends, teachers, or other adults. You may worry that they will not understand or that they will say something unhelpful.

Here are some simple things you could say if you choose to share:

“My parent has a condition called FND that affects their body in different ways.”
“Some days are harder than others, so things can change.”
“I am okay, but I sometimes worry about them.”

You do not have to share more than you feel comfortable sharing. Your privacy and feelings matter.

When you feel worried or overwhelmed, small things can make a difference. You might try one of these:

Spending time with a trusted adult who listens to you.
Talking to a school counsellor, teacher, or family member.
Writing your thoughts in a journal or drawing how you feel.
Doing something calming, like listening to music, breathing slowly, or taking a short walk. If you ever feel very scared or unsafe, it is important to tell an adult right away.

It is natural to want to help your parent, but it is not your job to make them better or to solve family problems. That responsibility belongs to the adults in your life. You can care deeply and still let others take the lead. Your role is to be supported, not to carry the weight of your parent’s illness.