Background:

According to previous studies there is little known about children's experiences of support when a parent is seriously ill or dying. Even though children have the right to gain information and support when a parent is seriously ill or dying there has not been extensive study regarding the children´s own experiences. Aim: This study aimed to explore children´s support experiences when a parent becomes ill or dies. Method: A literature review was used to analyze ten qualitative articles. Analyses are made according to Friberg's model. Family-related care is used as a thematic framework throughout the essay. Result: Three themes were found describing children's support experiences: children's support experiences in daily life, children's support experiences from health care professionals and children's own support system. Conclusion: It was found that family and friends constitutes a secure base for the children. The children asked for more information and support to handle stressful situations in family life. Children wish to remove responsibility and continuing being a child.