Hatrack River Forum: Explaining age/death/dying to young children

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Posted by RivalOfTheRose (Member # 11535) on :

Unfortunately my grandmother's health has taken a turn for the worse. She's 87, and I fear that there might be only a few months left at worse and maybe a few years at best.

I thank you in advance for any support, but I have gone through the grieving process before and I understand how to be sad for myself. But, my son who is now 4 and half years old hasn't been exposed to this kind of life experience before.

Does anyone have any tips or help or recommendations for explaining this or consoling a child when a family member passes on?

Thank you for any help and support. [Smile]

Posted by Stone_Wolf_ (Member # 8299) on :

I told my kids (now 7 & 5.5) that "Everything that lives, also dies. If it doesn't die, it was never alive to begin with." "Everyone dies, even you, even me, it's just part of being alive." And, "No one knows for sure what happens when we die, lots of people have different beliefs, but no one knows for sure."

And then...

"Grunkle Russ is very sick, and may pass away soon, so it is important that we spend time with him before he goes."

It all seems to have worked out. My mother's brother wasn't close to anyone but my mom and his bf. [Dont Know]

Good luck.

Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :

This is an excellent book for parents. It deals with taking kids to visit relative who are sick or dying, explaining death, attending funerals, etc.

Posted by CT (Member # 8342) on :

Great, dkw.