I took my 6 year old stepdaughter Holly to see Shrek the Third a while back. We saw the cinema advertisement about Madeleine's disapearance. Holly asked who this little girl was and who had 'snatched' her. I explained that she was lost and that her parents were very sad (obviously, I am protecting our kids from all the speculation as they are so young, 6 and 7) and were looking for her.
This was several weeks ago. Holly asked about Madeleine a few times over the next few days but then stopped.
Last night I heard a noise form Holly's room and when I went to investigate, found her crying her eyes out - she'd had a nightmare. When I asked her about it, she told me she wanted to know that ''the poor little girl'' was back with her parents, and that she was seeing Madeleine's face when she tried to sleep.
I cried after I had finally got Holly back to sleep. Please tell me, what can I do to help her? What can I tell her?
2007-08-05 16:15:16 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
At 6 years old she will understand. I know as I have a set of triplets who happen to be 6 years old. They understand the difference between reality and a movie. You can't protect a 6 year old from "all the speculation" and I hope you have separate conversations that explain there are real issues where children are abducted and that you prepare her on ways to handle it if she was ever put into a situation where it could happen to her.
My wife and I have been having these conversations and other safety discussions with our kids since they were at least 3 years old and we especially reinforced it before we sent them to kindergarten.
Anyway, tell her it is a movie, it was just a preview to show what was going to happen in the next release and that you expect that she will be found in the next sequel. Ask her to predict how she will be found and who will find her.
She will be fine. Hope you will too.
2007-08-13 11:42:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one really, its hard to explain that to a girl so young. You can't lie to her and say she's ok when you don't know, but maybe you can turn the dreams she's having into good dreams rather than nightmares by saying next time she sees her in her sleep or when she closes her eyes, to talk to her or play with her or something, keep her company until she is found..... the nightmare thing could then be avoided. Once the nightmares stop, she may forget about it.
I was 7 when i experienced a 3 year olds murder in a town 15 minutes away and found it difficult to sleep until my mum said that the boy was with his guardian angel and would be looked after and the bad person was behind bars.... but i guess the ambiguity of madeleines case can't help you solve this one! Good luck.
2007-08-06 00:04:56 · answer #2 · answered by styroprincess 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well I wouldn't lie to her as she might see on the news or on a poster that Madeleine is still lost. It is a difficult one, perhaps tell her gently that Madeleine is surely warm and safe somewhere and just waiting to be found. Even mention that she was spotted recently in a restaurant with a couple and that her parents will find her very soon.
2007-08-06 04:52:59 · answer #3 · answered by Nikita 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, this is tough. First, do not lie, as there are many posters, and internet things still going on, not to mention hearing it herself on the news.
All you can do now, is to reassure her that tho what happened to Madeleine happens, her parents, friends, relatives and police are doing all they can. If you pray, maybe before bed at night, you and your little one can say your own special prayer for the safe return of this little girl lost. How sad, that today there are so many aweful ppl who would rather hurt children, then to get the help they need. I hope this helps you.
2007-08-11 17:55:21 · answer #4 · answered by maureen g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aw, you poor thing! That is tough. I'd be tempted to tell her a white lie, but then she might come across another story and lose trust in you... I guess I would sit her down and tell her, I don't know, Madeleine might be back with her family or might not, maybe she was taken by someone who really wanted a little girl to love; and if Madeleine knew how worried you are for her, she would love you for it, but she would not want you to hurt so much for her. And I'd tell her that she will never be left alone and no one will ever be allowed to take her from her family, ever.
2007-08-05 23:27:31 · answer #5 · answered by zilmag 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I don't htink you should lie to her as she'll only see more on the news as it comes in or hear things from other people....personally, I would say that we could hope that she's OK and ask God to look after her, wherever she is, and perhaps even pray regularly for her - if you're not religious this probably doesn't help, but I know from experience that believing there's a being who's in charge out there does give comfort and peace.
2007-08-06 04:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by Mumknowsbest 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is a tough one I might just have to fib to my little girl just so she can feel better.But then again kids are smarter than grown ups give them credit for.I would try to find out go to the movie theater and ask them for info maybe they can help about if they found the girl or not.I am just curious as to why a movie theater would show this in a screen that little kids would see.I believe in advertising to bring a child home but that is a little much for kids to handle.
2007-08-05 23:26:17 · answer #7 · answered by billieleann78 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
do not lie to her it's the worst thing you can do to a child tell her that it's a very sad story but everyone is trying to help find her and hopefully she'll be back home soon and explain that's why you need to know where your children are at all times so they understand how important it is for you to know they are safe and well
she should get over it soon enough all you can really do is reasure her
2007-08-10 13:43:19 · answer #8 · answered by bubblesno11979 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't lie to her, kids are smart and if you lie you will break her faith in you.
try explaining in a simple way to her what has happened and how rare this is and how safe she is, im pretty sure she may be worrying about her own safety at the moment as i know my daughter did when she first heard about it. reassure her that everyone is doing all they can to find Maddie and maybe if that still doesn't reassure her tell her you are sure whoever has her is keeping her safe.
It is so sad this world we live in and we want to protect our children as much as we can but i guess sometimes they have to know.
2007-08-08 21:16:59 · answer #9 · answered by mznutty1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Set your daugther down and explain what happened to madiene. Teach her things do if someone where to ever try to take her. If she is old enough to under stand whaat happened to the other girl she's old enough to know what do to do to protect her self.
2007-08-11 13:44:35 · answer #10 · answered by bbqbob911 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋