Butterfly0102,

I'm sorry to hear about your mum and how her diagnosis is affecting you and your daughter. It's difficult to know what to say to children, but it's best to keep it simple and honest, as people have already said to you. There is some advice on talking to children and some of the resonses you might get here, which I hope is helpful. Ultimately, you know your daughter better than anyone so I'm sure you'll find the right words at the right time. If you need any support and tips for looking after yourself as a carer, you can read here. 

All the best to you,

Moderator Anastasia

I tend to agree that at just aged 7 she's far too young to be told much about it ,in my opinion just knowing that she's ill would be enough ,I know many people tell children about cancer and what it does but its very frightening for an adult never mind a child ,when my grandaughter was around the same age her other Grandma told her how her Granda had died of cancer and my grandaughter kept saying my granda had cancer and he died and it really stayed with her for ages to me it would have been much better just to say he was poorly and he died rather than a 7 year old being scared of cancer at such an early age .

My son is 10 years old and my nephew is 8 .. my mum has been diagnosed with liver cancer and we have known for around a year now . I was the same with my son and nephew a d we just said my mum was ill ect .. it is only recently we have decided to explain abit more to my son who is 10 as we feel he is abit more mature and can understand it abit better than my nephew . With my nephew we've just told him grandma's got an Infection and when she goes for chemo we say she's going for her antibiotics to help her infection . This was we feel like he's I colved and not being lied to but doesn't need to know the truth extent untill the worse case which were not thi king about yet. My 10 year old took the news well he was sad at first and had his time to take in the Information. Prior to me telling him I'd spoken with my sons school who had already got someone in place were he can go and speak if he feels down and wants to get anything of his chest . I found the school has helped in the situation of my son coming to terms with the diagnosis and understanding that cancer can effect people in so many different ways .. some people aren't as lucky as others and my son understands this.. and it has been a major weight off my shoulders being able to help each other get through this xx