On listening to the dreams of children affected by serious physical illness

Authors would like to draw attention to the dreaming of children affected by serious physical illness, and the consequences that the listening skills of the caregivers (parents, nurses, doctors, teachers etc.) may have. How will an adult, too intensely distressed over the death of a child, be able to approach a child who has a fear of death and be able to offer a space in which to listen and share? Adults can connect with children, their dreams, as well as their drawings and plays, only if they have been able to perceive, tolerate and contain their own emotions, including their personal sufferings, but they must also be able to reconcile the realm of reality with that of their own creativity. This is because the identity of one (the suffering child) can only exist in a more integrated way if in the presence of another person: if I cannot speak to you of my pains and of my fears of dying, I will not exist for you as a living and suffering child.