The Mummy Diaries from Channel4.com

Starts Thursday 8 November at 9pm on Channel 4

The bond between a mother and her child is an extraordinary one. But what happens when that bond is broken by the premature death of the mother? Ground-breaking three-part series The Mummy Diaries follows five ordinary families who face the unthinkable – a life without Mum.

Five mothers are living with the knowledge that they have been diagnosed with an incurable illness and face the daunting challenge of how and what to communicate to their children. We learn that although it is natural to want to protect children it is possible to talk with them so they feel involved and not overwhelmed.

The characters and their situations in the series show that the strength and spirit of family life can be stronger than any illness. Sadly, during the series some of the mothers lose their battle against cancer. We follow the families as they try to continue with their lives.

Read more about the families and their experiences.

You can also read the experiences of other people who have been through the same thing, including two celebrities. Get some ideas for practical support and how to deal with children and bereavement. You can find helplines, books and websites in getting help.

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