Was your child affected by the passing of Steve Irwin?

Question

My child was very upset about his death. He cried for ages and wondered how Bindi and Bob would cope without their dad, we collected magazine articles and anything else we could find to try to help him understand (he is only 6). I was amazed that Steve had such an impact on him and so many others. We were truly lucky to have him the length of time we did...he will be very much missed.

Answer 1

My thought is that he wasn't affected as much by Steve Irwin's death as he was by the newfound knowledge that daddies can die.

Maybe a good approach would be to talk about how not all daddies die and that his daddy is going to stay around for as long as he possibly can.

Poor guy. I hope he can move past it soon.

Answer 2

I think he was effected because Steve Irwin was THE guy for little kids that watched. He was doing dangerous things with such liveliness and confidence that people trusted that nothing bad would ever happen to him.
It was a shock to your child and the waking up part that bad things do happen to people, thats very scary for a little kid.
I have a daughter who is 6 too. She doesnt know who Steve Irwin was but Im sure she would be upset too. However at this age she will come to me crying how she doesnt want me to die ever, and has MANY questions about death and what happens etc Things I have trouble answering honestly.

Children at this age are terrified that they will lose someone they love because they are beginning to realise that life does end. Your son probably saw this guy loved him and trusted that nothing would happen to him but there it is, bad things happen sometimes and it triggers alot of anxiety and thoughts.

It is sad that this man died this way but it was basically the shock of how he died that got everyone. Had he died naturally there would be a few tributes and that would be it.

Answer 3

I don't have a child, as I am a teenager, but I have a nine-year-old brother who really liked Steve Irwin. I myself like Steve a great deal. I grew up watching him, and I was very shocked and sad when I heard he died. I couldn't even believe he died the way he did. It must be very difficult for young children to understand death, because I remember myself ten years ago, and how I couldn't even watch movies where a character died, because it would upset me so much.

Answer 4

yes, my daughter cried and was upset. she is 5. and I disagree.....3 year olds can be affected by death. my Mom passed away two years ago, my daughter was 3. and she was a part of the whole process. she is very well adjusted and knows that her Grammy went to Heaven, she sang songs to her at the viewing and touched her hand and said "Grammy you are my cuppie cake" and sang Itsy bitsy spider to her. it would have been more traumatic if one day Grammy was just gone and disappeared. Children need to know the truth about death so that they will not be afraid when someone does pass away.
Steve Irwin (and my MOM) will be missed deeply.

Answer 5

My children were sad. It is not that they were huge fans but they really liked watching him if we turned to the channel. We watched the memorial on tv and my daughter and I talked about his children losing their dad. He had such a huge personality and I know it was truly a shock to see such a genuine person pass away. So yes, my kids were saddened. I think like your child, one of my kids was of similar age to Bindi. So they relate that someone "like them" has lost a parent. It causes them to question their own safety net and if they could lose their mom or dad.

Answer 6

Yes My little boy is 6 as well and was very upset by his death. He has the crocdile hunter movie and watches that. He understands that he is dead but gets comfort from the movie. as well his preschool all wrote to Terry,Bindi and Bob which helped him a lot, they all did drwing for them and one of the children drove to Australia zoo to deliver them. IMost of the children I know have taken it very hard. He's a lot better now though.

Answer 7

Yes,, My 6yr old came home from his Dad's crying.... there are nights there will be shows on about him and he cries... He does not understand how he died.. I try to explain it but he will just start crying... The only thing that I have been able to do is watch what he is watching on T.V. If there is anything on Animal Planet that is about Steve we watch and see how he will react to it... The only thing that you can do it let time take its course,. At this age death is very hard for them to understand..

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Your child sounds very sensitive and mature for a six-year old. Maybe he would like to write a letter to Bindi and Bob and tell them how sorry he is. Or pick out a card and mail it. I'm sure that they would appreciate it. I myself was shocked to hear of it and think it was strange if you read that he told his wife he knew he would die young. My kids are older and didn't seem that affected.

Answer 9

My daughter was sad, but I don't think she was truly effected by it. Then again, she's older. She's 9. She talked about how much she's going to miss his crazy croc stunts. She watched most of the tribute shows to him. I know she's really going to miss him, but hopefully they'll keep his show in reruns for years so we can keep enjoying what he did. You're right, he'll be missed by many.....young and old.

Answer 10

Not at all, but a lot of it depends on the age of the child. For instance my daughter was devistated when Mr. Rogers died, but when he came on at his usual time the next day the feelings of anxiety went away.