In Mommy's Garden: A Book to Help Explain Cancer Young Children

A cancer diagnosis is a difficult and frightening experience for people of all ages. When a parent or family member is diagnosed, the anxiety he or she feels about knowing what to tell his or her children can be overwhelming. Parents are often reluctant to discuss the diagnosis with their children because they are at a loss about what to say and how much information to give them. Honest communication is important for any family, but it becomes even more important in helping family members cope with cancer.In Mommy's Garden is intended to help parents, family members, and healthcare professionals first talk about cancer with children and help alleviate misconceptions children often have. Prior to publication, this book was evaluated with cancer survivors who had young children when they were diagnosed. It was found to be appropriate for use by families of all cultural backgrounds, and to be an extremely useful tool to help parents bridge the communication gap with their young children since it helps explain cancer in a non-threatening manner.