Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to understand the experiences of mothers who care for children with cancer regarding self-care. METHODS: descriptive, qualitative research using the Creative Sensitive Method. Data collection took place at the outpatient clinic of a children's cancer hospital in Belém, Pará, with 16 participants. These sessions were conducted through creativity and sensitivity dynamics in two sessions. These sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using French discourse analysis, based on Paulo Freire's theoretical framework. RESULTS: three main topics emerged: 1) "Impacts on caregiving mothers' health", with emotional, psychological, and physical impacts subtopics; 2) "Dedication to child care and its impact on family dynamics", including the family relationships subtopic; 3) "Institutional support and public policies". FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: caregiving mothers face significant impacts on their physical and emotional health, and family dynamics, requiring the implementation of care strategies that consider their experiences and improve their quality of life.