Guilty

GUILTY

We often feel guilty if we say or do things we later regret. Other times there are things we wish we had said or done that we didn't do. Sometimes we feel guilty for things that are not at all our responsibility. This is normal and shows that we care about other people's feelings. Explore the words in the clouds and see if any describes the way you feel.

BLAME

"I was being very selfish"

Life is difficult for you now and it's natural that you think about yourself and what you want. Don't blame yourself too much for feeling selfish, but remember that things are hard for all of you now and try also to think of how others might feel and how you can help each other.

REPENTANT

"It was my responsibility"

Sometimes we promise to do things that we can't be bothered doing anyway. At the time it may feel ok, but then we feel very guilty afterwards because we realise that people were relying on us and it was our responsibility to get it done. Hopefully we learn from this and think twice before we sneak off next time.

EMBARRASED

"I wish my parent could be the same as before"

Cancer or the treatment of cancer can change the way your parent looks. Some might lose weight, some may gain weight, chemotherapy can make people lose their hair and surgery can also make people look different. You might think this is embarrassing - especially to your friends, but talk to them about it and you may be positively surprised about their reaction.

ASHAMED

"I've let them down"

That's definitely not the case. Remember that most people understand what it's like to be under intense emotional pressure. It doesn't excuse bad behaviour but often explains it. The fact that you re ashamed of something you did means that you have learnt something for the future.

REGRET

"I wish I could change things"

Everyone regrets something so it's important to keep things in perspective. If what you want to change is at all possible, try and see how you can do things differently in the future instead of dwelling on past mistakes. Very often we want to change things that are not really within our power.

REMORSE

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone"

It's easy to hurt our friends and family when we're upset, even if we don't mean to. The important thing is learning from what went wrong, saying we're sorry and trying not to do or say the same thing again.

SORRY

"I shouldn't have done it"

You can't turn the clock back and undo things that are done. Talk about why you did whatever it was, be honest and prepared to listen to what others have to say. Saying you're sorry can make things better and is a grown-up thing to do and it will make things much easier afterwards if you mean it.

TIPS ON COPING