Urgent advice please

[Mrspimplepopper]

Posting here for traffic.

I'm currently looking after my friends 7 year old dd ( I'll call her emily) My friend and her husband are currently 2 hours away with her mil who is dying.

I have a dd8 and ds6. Emily has been with me since very early this morning since my friend got the call that her mil death was imminent.

Emily is aware her grandma is very ill but my friend has been vague with details and Emily doesn't know her grandma is actually dying.

My two dc are asleep. Emily is upset. She's crying that she misses her mum and dad. She's saying she's scared her grandma will
die.
I'm trying to comfort her by distracting her and making her laugh...jeeez I'm struggling though

Not much to add, but if we had more of this concern for others on a wider scale, society would be a much more comfortable place.

It reminds me of when I was a child & friends, relatives and neighbours rallied round in times of crisis.

For you OP

Can you help her find her safe spot in your house? It might be that the pop-up tent would work, or that might be wrong as it's meant to be in her house.

Gosh what a difficult situation all round. I think you're doing really well. For what it's worth I was kept out of it all, including the funeral, when why grandmother died (I was 12) and felt very bewildered. I did have my dc near me when df died (they were sim age to Emily) and they were less distressed as they were not in the dark. However, Emily's potential autism may well affect the situation. I think you are being wonderful, there is no right way, just some good old fashioned love and affection is all you can do.

That's a good idea MrsMozart

Little update

Emily arrived back with me at lunchtime..I chatted with her parents before they headed off. They have told Emily that her grandma is dying and will go to heaven. They have painted a very positive picture of heaven and angels taking care of people when they die.

Emily and my two dc and another friends dc are well for lunch. We are now at our local park me, Emily, my two dc (8 and 6)and my ds friend from his class at school too. It's a beautiful sunny afternoon.

My dd is 8. Emily is 7. They are both sat under the climbing frame as I type chatting.

Pressed send too soon

I hope I can help Emily and do a good job to make this time ok for her

You are such a kind friend. Emily and her parents are very lucky to have you x

I’m glad you’re doing your best for Emily but I really think a parent should stay with her