our daughter who is 8 was very close to her. How do you tell a child that this has happened. This is something I really am upset over and just don't know what we should say.
2007-08-30 10:12:32 · 10 answers · asked by Rein 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Tell her that she went to heaven, only if the child asks. No need to traumatize the child, keep the sordid details for yourself.
Good luck
2007-08-30 10:17:48 · answer #1 · answered by Blunt 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Children should be told what is approiate to hear at what age.
Children are often wiser than we imagine.
Have you ever spoken to her about death? if not...explain it to her. If you give her a false version of what it, the child will eventually resent you.
Keep it simple but real. Sit down with her and tell her that you have to tell her something serious. Tell her that her Dad's girlfriend died. (unless she asks don't give the reason for her death) Explain to your daughter that we all start as babies.And gradually grow old. And that death is part of life. I you have religious beliefs then share those. Assure her that she can talk to you abuot this when she needs to.
Please don't hid your tears of your feelings, because that teaches a child to be too stoic. It can really mess up a persons life.
When my cousin was 5 years old her sister age 3 was killed in a car wreck. The doctors told the adults to not cry in front of my cousin. Now she is in her 50's and deeply hurt that the family didn't seem to be grieving. She now at her age has to process the grief of the loss of her little sister.
If your daughter seriously wants to understand what happened. You can explain about the illness called depression and anxiety. And when it isn't taken care of a person can want to die. It doesn't happen often by some people are so sick with this and they don't treat it they will do something to die. If she doesn't undstand, explain to her that as she gets older she will understand. And then be open to her concerning conversatons on this subject.
Kids grow up fast. There are parts of life we went to protect them from our kids, But we also need to perpare them for the ups and downs.
2007-08-30 10:45:37 · answer #2 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell the child that the woman died but do not let her know that it was suicide. Alot of people do not understand things when it comes to suicide. Let the child know that she was a sick person and she is now in heaven with God.
2007-08-30 10:22:55 · answer #3 · answered by Nancy M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is necessary to tell the child the manner of death. If you believe in God, just tell her that the person is in heaven with God/Jesus or whatever your particular religion believes in. You could say she's sleeping in heaven or something like that. I think children at that age are starting to understand the concept of death, just tell her in a gentle way.
2007-08-30 10:22:40 · answer #4 · answered by shirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain it as a death and not a suicide. You don't have to go in detail with her. Just tell her that she is no longer in this world because she was ill and died (she was ill since she committed suicide).
2007-08-30 10:20:07 · answer #5 · answered by Rosie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell your daughter that her father's girlfriend died and went to heaven. She is too young to understand what suicide is and she doesn't need anymore trauma in her young life.
2007-08-30 10:23:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell the truth. she is old enough to know and lying to her won't help anything. it is harsh but death is a reality and it hurts to lose someone you care about no matter how old you are.
2007-08-30 10:19:47 · answer #7 · answered by the kidd 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your child should know that her daddy's girlfriend died. I don't think she needs details.
2007-08-30 10:18:41 · answer #8 · answered by missingora 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Be honest. You can't keep it from her she is going to start asking questions. Tell her she was wrong and that is no way out but, she was depressed....
2007-08-30 10:18:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell her it was just her time to go & thats how life is, people are born & people die everyday.
2007-08-30 10:22:15 · answer #10 · answered by In♥w/mykids! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋