talking to children about death

[briarrose]

Hi there, just had interesting discussion with DDs (10, and 8) eldest DD was telling me about how she wakes up in the night sometimes and worries about death and never seeing me or her dad again. I distinctly remember that terror, combined with the loneliness of the nightime, evil combination!!!! I did my best to comfort her, but I didn't want to spin her any crap just to make her feel better. I never spoke to my mum about how I felt, just dealt with it, but I want to comfort my 2, but how????

[sushistar]

Good suggestion waswondering. I always found it comforting to know that sis and i would have lived with aunt and uncle had anything happened to mum and dad.

[briarrose]

That's a good idea actually, but does raise some practical issues! Not sure who would look after them actually! spose it's a good a time as any to think about it.

[PaperChain]

I talk to my DC about death. Started with a guinea pig at DS1 nursery I think. They are younger than yours, so the converstaion is 'softer' but I have never made any secret of the fact that sometimes people die and that means that we dont see them again (in this life).

[briarrose]

Well that's kind of the stance I take, that's what I mean about not feeding them any rubbish just to wash over it. I suppose reality is tough to face when you are so small. I can vividly remember the exxact moment I realised that we die and that's it, it was terrifying and I sobbed and sobbed. I just want to know what to say to allay their nightime demons. The chat about who would look after them if the unlikely were to happen seems a good option