I need advice, my 10yr old witnessed his friends little puppy get hit by a car, it was a pretty messy accident (puppy didn't make it) he got out of the yard when my son and his 3 friends went through the gate, he was too quick for them, they tried to grab him but it was too late. My son is beside himself with grief, I've tried consoling him but he's never had to deal with death before, what can i say to him that will ease his mind and help him forgive himself ( i know its no-ones fault but he blames himself for not being quick enough) or realize its not his fault. It kills me to see him so distraught how can i help him?
2006-11-20 08:35:49 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
he has a new owner now. new owners' name is GOD.
thank you for raising a child with a heart! he will probably grow up to love and own lots of animals and have COMPASSION. thank you!
everything happens for a reason and a lot of times it's not up to us to know 'why'.
teach him that runnning after a dog the dog will think 'play', if you run away from the dog it will chase you. this is a handy trick. if a dog tries to attack him and he runs towards it , it will most likely freak out and not know what to do so it will run away. it confuses a dog attacking to run towards it.
2006-11-21 01:35:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He is feeling guilt and you should be grateful he is instead of taking it lightly. Congratulations, you have a child that is humble and cares about others feelings.
You have probably done all you can do at this point by explaining to him that it was beyond his control. Maybe he can go with his friend and help him pick out another puppy. I am sure the two would love the chance to do that and it would make the circle of life seem real to them instead of just the end of a life. Talk to the other boys parents and inquire if they are even going to consider this.
Other than that he will come out of it on his on. There are some good books out on the grieving process and ten years old is not too young to understand what it is all about.
2006-11-20 08:47:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it depends on how long he grieves. If it is for a few days, plus occasionally later, that seems a pretty natural reaction and doesn't need much intervention. If it seems more deep than that, then the only thing any human can do in the face of death is to get perspective -- people and animals are dying all the time, and it that is what makes it more important to use one's own life wisely. Pretty deep, but death requires that level of understanding.
2006-11-20 08:47:12 · answer #3 · answered by Julian A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor guy, that same thing happened to me around the same age. I couldn't sleep that night at all. I was walking some dogs, when a neighbor dog came out to see us, a speeding car ran the dog down, then took off. It wasn't even my dog, and I was distraught over it. It will get better with time, just be there for him to talk with should he have the need. Time heals all wounds.
Good Luck
2006-11-20 21:43:26 · answer #4 · answered by olschoolmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This may seem kindergarden to a 10/yo but explain death happens and even if he still is upset simple say 'He's in a better place now, so don't be sad. He's happier to be among pups like him,'
2006-11-20 11:02:19 · answer #5 · answered by cjm 3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋