death

How do you explain it to a 4 or 5 year old? My son just came running into the kitchen screaming "mommy mommy my dog just died!" I nearly choked on my drink. No one or a pet has passed in our family so he hasn't been.through that, he just heard it on the TV and I wonder what he even thinks it is. We're also nonreligious so the whole going to heaven crap won't be an explanation we will be giving. But soon.enough I know he'll be asking what it is.

You could say death means they are no longer living. And you can't ever see or talk to them again.

My son is three and does stuff like that! The other day he told me there was an imaginary blue dog in the car. He was petting it and then a man shot him and he was dead and smoke was coming out of his mouth! I was like WTF child!!!

We are non-religious too so he just knows that when you die you have to go away forever.

When I explained it to my son, I basically just said that they were sleeping. He understands that it's not a quick nap, or something he'll wake up in the morning from.

<blockquote><b>Quoting HopingforaMiracle:</b>" You could say death means they are no longer living. And you can't ever see or talk to them again."</blockquote>




I kind of like this. Brief but straight to the point! Thanks.

<blockquote><b>Quoting :*:CHRiSTiNe:*::</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting HopingforaMiracle:</b>" You could say death means they are no ... [snip!] ... you can't ever see or talk to them again."</blockquote> I kind of like this. Brief but straight to the point! Thanks."</blockquote>



I really haven't thought about it yet since she's only 16 months old.
So I don't know

<blockquote><b>Quoting tatesmommy09:</b>" My son is three and does stuff like that! The other day he told me there was an imaginary blue dog in ... [snip!] ... his mouth! I was like WTF child!!! We are non-religious too so he just knows that when you die you have to go away forever."</blockquote>



I know it always catches me off guard. I keep forgetting he's 4 and notices this stuff now. Like he's been obsessed with the movie homeward bound 2 and in that movie a house burned down so all he talks about is houses burning down and smoke being everywhere. I'm still trying to figure out where he picked up this dead stuff from because I certainly don't bring it up and he only watches cartoons and kid movies. Its part of growing up I know but damn already? So not prepared for it.

Quoting HopingforaMiracle:" You could say death means they are no longer living. And you can't ever see or talk to them again."

That's a little harsh for a 4 year old, don't you think? That thought is almost too much for me at 20 years old.

<blockquote><b>Quoting jordan.ℓeigh✿:</b>" That's a little harsh for a 4 year old, don't you think? That thought is almost too much for me at 20 years old."</blockquote>




No I won't lie to my children. It is the truth. Especially with something as serious as death. It's sad and everything but I would rather my children be prepared than to be lied to about one of their grandparents dying. Or siblings or someone they're close to. I dont want my children to go through life thinking that if death means they just go away that that person will come back someday. It just isn't right IMO of course you raise your kids the way you want and I will do the same  

Quoting jordan.ℓeigh✿:" That's a little harsh for a 4 year old, don't you think? That thought is almost too much for me at 20 years old."

 

Heaven is a much nicer explanation, IMO, even if you're not religious...

Quoting HopingforaMiracle:" <blockquote><b>Quoting jordan.ℓeigh✿:</b>" That's a little harsh for a ... [snip!] ... person will come back someday. It just isn't right IMO of course you raise your kids the way you want and I will do the same  "

I agree.

You just have to teach coping skills to help them learn to deal with it properly. Like that you can still "talk" to a loved one that's passed, even though they're not there. And that they're always in your heart and memory.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Lizplustwo:</b>"   Heaven is a much nicer explanation, IMO, even if you're not religious..."</blockquote>




In your opinion.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Rain (aka Mama):</b>" I agree. You just have to teach coping skills to help them learn to deal with it properly. Like that ... [snip!] ... still "talk" to a loved one that's passed, even though they're not there. And that they're always in your heart and memory. "</blockquote>




Absolutely. I agree. I don't have a 4 year old but I plan to tell them the truth. But I don't look down on anybody who doesn't.

Quoting HopingforaMiracle:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Lizplustwo:</b>"   Heaven is a much nicer explanation, IMO, even if you're not religious..."</blockquote> In your opinion."

IMO = In my opinion. But thanks for clarifying  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Lizplustwo:</b>" IMO = In my opinion. But thanks for clarifying  "</blockquote>




Didn't see that. Sorry for making a mistake.