Should I tell my 5yo DS his great granny is dying?

[Isthismummyreallyme]

As above really. She is dying possibly imminently know one knows how long she has but things are not looking great. DS knows she is poorly but hasn't experienced any sort of death before.

I want to prepare him however don't want him to ask her about it as he is very forward and will say something like when will you die?

We are not religious people so we discuss heaven but not particularly god.

Do we just discuss it when it happens or is is best to prepare him? If best to prepare how would you do it?

Thank you!

DGS was 5 when my DM died. He knew her but wasn't that close to her and we told him that she had died, but hadn't told him that she was going to die. We said it was sad but she was ill and old and sometimes old people die when they get very ill.
He asked questions but took it all calmly. I think at 5 you tell them the truth but take their lead with the Q&As.

Sorry to hear this!
4 year old DS lost his Grandma this year and it has prompted A LOT of questions. In my opinion it’s probably best to wait until it’s happened as that on its own is difficult enough for little ones to process without having the not knowing how long it could be etc, if that makes sense?

It might help to prepare your answers for when he does start to ask questions so you’re not caught off guard - eg what your stance is and what you want to tell him about where people might go after death, etc

There is a book called Rabbityness by Jo Empson which is good for dealing with loss, it’s a picture book so aimed around that age group. Beautiful book too.