Where has this come from???

[skorpion]

My DD1 is coming up to her sixth birthday and in the last few months has been a bit obsessive about death. I have no idea where this came from, there's not been anything in her life that may have provoked such a thing.

She got herself upset at night on a few occasions, sobbing and saying things like 'I don't want to have children because this would mean you'd be a granny and you'd die, mama' (waaahhh!). She's taken to telling me 'I love you, I don't want you to die'. My four year old is picking up on this and saying the same. My standard response is I know darling, try not to worry about it.

Is this a thing for five year olds? I'm not sure how to react (if at all). I tell her that this is something that will not happen for a long time and so she does not have to worry about it now. I don't want to minimise her fears and feelings but am not enjoying the constant reminders of my own mortality, either, thank you very much.

I feel in depth exploring of the issue is a bit premature and do not want to get all philosophical about it, DDs are only small.

Any ideas? I know this will also pass - unless I'm rearing a Wednesday Addams - but can I help it along the way?