Background: Cancer is the most common cause of death among children in Sweden. The disease and the treatment cause suffering among the children, which also affects their parents. Research has shown that parents of children with cancer have poorer health. It is the nurse’s responsebility to help, not only the child, but also the parents in their difficult situation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe parents’ experience of living with a child diagnosed with cancer.

Method: The method in this study was a literature study, where four autobiographies were analysed. The text was analysed according to qualitative content analysis.

Results: The analysis of the autobiographies revealed four categories in which parents’ experiences and feelings were described. The four categories were: Experiences and adaptation of grief; Experiences of insecurity; Experiences of powerlessness; Experiences of hope.

Conclusion: The study showed that parents wanted to be able to be at home together with the sick child. To make this possible, the parents needed support by home care. The parents also suffered of the powerlessness they felt when they couldn't help their child. To make the parents more involved, it is important that the nurse encourage the parents to participate. Finally, the parents described the importance of feeling joy and hope.

This study provides information about how parents experience living with a child who has cancer. This information gives the nurse opportunity to adjust the care and also to support and help the parents.