Parents often worry about how their children may cope emotionally with a change in living arrangements. Most parents want a relationship to develop between the carer and their children, so that in an emergency there is less emotional trauma to the children who can be cared for by someone who is familiar and trusted.

The child or young person will be more emotionally able to cope if they are involved in the decision about the carer or told about the intended plan by the parent. They can prepare themselves emotionally for a change as well as making feeling a part of the process.

Parents may decide to tell their child that the reason for making a plan is because they have a life–threatening illness. Allowing discussions about the impact of this news often decrease negative impact on the child because they are able to express their feelings and the changes. Someone other than the parent may act as a confidant for the child or young person. The planning process needs to address the emotional needs for the child or young person so they can keep in contact with their parent. The child or young person may need regular information about their parent to help decrease their anxiety and to promote this emotional bonding.

A plan should incorporate possible changes, such as the parent being ill or having to go to hospital. This may result in the carer being responsible for preparing the child for visits to see their parent. The emotional response of children may vary; sometimes the child or young person appears to lose interest in their parent or be unable to communicate with them while in hospital, or the child may be overwhelmed or frightened.