How do you (if at all) explain to a child about losing a job?

[LexyMa]

Child in question is a very thoughtful and (even if I say so myself) clever 3y7m, going to start reception later this year. Currently FT at day nursery, loves being dropped off by one of us and then bossing us about as to who is going to pick him up. We've so far explained the concept of going to work as (a) because we enjoy it (b) because we are good at helping make computers work (DH - IT) and how to help people do things better (me - project mgt) (c) they pay us money and we have nice things and live in a nice place.

DH's company is now being taken over and he is not safe from redundancy due to being in the bit that doesn't need to double up in size when the company does. So in a couple of months he may be out of work.

Baby due September. On the plus side I have just been offered a new job on promotion internally, get good maternity pay etc, and so for the time being we are not worried about money etc. Anything we do cut back on DS very likely will not notice - things like using rather than putting away savings, having holidays, and there's almost nothing else we are extravagant about. He's very excited about baby and going to big school.

So I think, why tell him at all? Well, he might notice that daddy is doing all the pick ups and drop offs and will then probably ask why. I think we'll be able to say that daddy is doing 'a different job', because he'll do some consultancy or free work like blogging. Clearly a three year old doesn't need the full low down on Mergers and Acquisitions, TUPE and compromise agreements.

Just wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation, and what you said/did?

You don't need to go into the ins and outs to be honest. Just say that daddy is looking for a new job, so in the meantime he can have lots of extra time with DS.

You really don't need to tell your child about this. Kids grow up too quickly as it is without knowing about redundancy at such an early age. Lots of dads do the nursery/school drop offs. It really isnt something you should be burdening your child with.

If your child was say, 10, it would probably be worth mentioning but definitely not preschool.

Yeah, I'd agree with not explaining it at all - much easier for your child to take in their stride.

As a child of a free-lancer I got used to the idea that sometimes Daddy worked and we had money and a holiday and that sometimes he worked less and we had fun at home (buying a piano and all learning was in a 'bad' year I think and we loved it).

You'll probably be able to explain just a little and find that, as long as both parents are calm and happy about it, child will be too.