My daughter is 5 years old. My mom, her grandmother, recently had a stray cat and decided to take care of it. My daughter loved that cat, it was, like, her baby or something. Yesterday, it got hit by a car and died. I was going to tell her that it just ran away,,,,,,,, but I don't think I can handle going to my mom's and watching my daughter wait for the cat to come back, knowing that it never will. My daughter is very mature and she is very smart for her age, I feel like she deserves to know the truth, but I don't want to cause her any hurt. Thanks.
2006-06-19 08:17:16 · 12 answers · asked by Littlemissy 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I told her the truth about the cat. She took it very, very hard. But if we learned anything out of it at all ....it is that now she understands the importance of going to church so that she can be sure to make it to heaven to see the kitty again. She prayed about it last night. Thanks for all the opinions!!!!!
2006-06-20 04:20:17 · update #1
I would tell her the truth about what happenned. You will be amazed at how well she responds and understands. Does she have any relatives that she remembers "in heaven"? You could tell her the cat is up there now with_________. There she can run and play and chase toys (or whatever her best memories of him are) and doesn't ever have to worry about getting hit by a car. You will be surprised how receptive some 5 year olds can be to the idea of death and heaven. Remind her every now and then that she is up there, and happy.
My 5 year old will periodically look up to the sky and say hi to her "Nana" and her "Grandma", and "Bosco dog" (our old pet). Its very touching.
Good luck.
2006-06-19 09:22:01 · answer #1 · answered by cardboard cowboy 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My children are all under 10, recently their 2 kittens died, an my daughters birthday. no less. I struggled and then decide to tell the truth, I let the kids bury the kittens and have a "funeral". Even though it is awful dealing with a pet death will help a child prepare for the inevitable grief from the death of a loved one down the road.
2006-06-19 08:23:32 · answer #2 · answered by darbylee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell her that God call the cat to heaven to live with him there and though we will miss it here we will see it again when it is our turn to go to heaven. Then tell her it is OK to cry and miss the cat. Death is a part of life and though you probably would have preferred to wait a while for this talk just tell her the truth in a way she would understand and answer her questions.
2006-06-19 12:13:12 · answer #3 · answered by a1cat.rm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Facing certain issues in life is difficult for both adult and children, especially when it deals with life and death of a loved one; even its a beloved pet.
If you believe your daughter is mature and smart, then it might be a good time to help her experience and understand about death; something that will happen to all of us one day.
Of course it will be hard for her to accept her kiddie is gone and she will probably be upset, but its best for her to understand early on so she can learn to deal with it and eventually accept it.
By embracing death with a positive and right attitude, it can help her understand that our time on this earth isn't forever; that we should cherish our moment with our family and friend with each passing day. Sometimes the best lesson we learn isn't in the classroom, its by the event that we experience in life.
You'll have to teach her about this someday if not today. Its up to you to determine whether your daughter is mature enough to learn from this event with a positive attitude. Of course it would be wise to delay this lesson if you think your daughter still needs a few more years before tackling this issue.
Best of luck to you, and sorry for your lost.
2006-06-19 08:54:00 · answer #4 · answered by thsiung 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let her know that the cat found a "new home" i wouldn't go to the extent of saying that the cat died, but tell her that she will meet new kitty friends, and maybe grandma can have your daughter help her pick out a new pet, and possibly grandma can keep this one indoors..
good luck, if she understands death, then tell her, but expect her to grieve as much as you would.
or you could do the whole "went to live on a farm thing"
2006-06-19 08:21:20 · answer #5 · answered by UNeverKnow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just explain to her that something happend to the kitty that happens to every living thing "sweetie i got something to tell you _____ had an accident and he/she is not here any more. He/she went to heaven and he/she is very happy and he/she wanted me to tell u good bye" let her cry about it and tell her that it is ok to cry about it. Offer her another pet. The depression part wont last long. Sry about the cat. :)
2006-06-19 08:28:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has she ever watched/had read to her something where a character died? If so, I would cite that as an example to help you explain to her what happened to the cat.
2006-06-19 08:21:10 · answer #7 · answered by Belie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its gone to live with all the angels in the sky, and will have the best life ever! :)
2006-06-19 08:19:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just tell her, it will be hard for you and her but death is a part of life
2006-06-19 08:22:32 · answer #9 · answered by mi_gl_an 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honesty is always best maybe you can tell her its dead but that it went to pet heaven or something like that.
good luck
2006-06-19 08:19:06 · answer #10 · answered by hoffnerhooper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋