Talking about death

[Mol1628]

My 5 year old has been asking me a lot about death recently. He’s a sensitive boy and a worrier. This was prompted by his nanas dog dying, We said it’s just going to sleep, she’s happy now and your body gets tired and has to sleep when you get old.
He’s been saying to me he doesn’t want to die, asking me how many years he has left, what will happen when me and his dad die etc. All normal questions but I just wondered how other people explain death to young children without scaring them... and to stop him worrying about it!
He gets upset about our dog dying as well.

Tbh I wouldnt have said the dog had gone to sleep. I think thats quite confusing. I would be as matter as fact as possible whilst trying to be reassuring.

My ds is only 3 but we have tried to explain death too him as he has only one grandparent on each side, and we try and talk about the missing ones but have explained they died before he was born.

My mums dog was recently pts so we told him the dog was old and poorly and the vet couldn't make it better and it died so we cant see it anymore. We have also talked about it being ok to be sad when someone dies.

I'm an atheist but I softened the blow for my son by telling him when we die we go to heaven and he will be with all his family there. I think its too much for a small child to deal with the finality of death. As he got older he gradually concluded himself that when we die thats it. It was easier for him to accept this as he was a bit older and better able to cope.

My son 4 asked recently if I'll die, he kinda understands that things die, but not wanting to cause any major worry I told him no, I'll be here for a long time. I've no idea if that was right thing to do, just didn't fancy him contemplating his mum dying

My 7 year old is very interested in birth, life and death. I found being honest with her in a child friendly way is best but it might not be much helping your child is sensitive in nature