Social Your child asks you about death

[MrBean]

I am a former creationist Christian. I "spiritually" search and as such, I don't hide it from my son. We speak about what life is. We spend time talking about critical thinking and even how understanding will change from year to year.

We have spoken of death since he was little. For him to understand the reality of ending life and what sacredness it has (if any).
From snails to spiders, fish to sharks, pets to relatives.

We speak matter of factly but I recognise that treading carefully is essential.
Instigating an existential crisis in a young kid is a thin line from being open about death.

I let me son do the digging to avoid overloading him but having a healthy recognition (and respect) of death is a missing (or fading) social issue in Western society.

 

[AFanNotAFighter]

Just tell them The Boogeyman doesn't care if they're afraid of dying.

 

[Fedorgasm]

"The trick, Son, is to have a life so miserable that you no longer fear death. You actually look forward to that sweet release.

The good news is that you don't need to do anything special to get that kind of life. It happens to all of us whether we like it or not.

Now, you want me to read you a story?"

 

[squeezewax]

You just tell them the truth, kids handle things ok. Same when it comes to sex, you tell them the truth.

 

[Fedorgasm]

You just tell them the truth, kids handle things ok. Same when it comes to sex, you tell them the truth.

"I just met your mom and she's already letting me do butt stuff. Which is great and I love it, but now I don't respect her, so you won't be seeing me around after tonight. Stay in school."

 

[VinceArch]

I'd tell them let's not worry about that right now and focus on what cereal we want to eat tomorrow morning.

 

[shunyata]

I just hand them this: "It'll explain everything."

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I was gonna say read them Fall of Freddy the Leaf but I guess that'll get the job done too.

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

I believe in heaven so I tell them we will end up in heaven with no more sin or pain or death. But we hope we won’t go to heaven for a long time.

This is pretty much spot on lol, good on ya

You shoot them straight with the most charitable interpretation that you also believe to be accurate.

"Everyone dies, Janey, not everyone really lives"

 

[Stoic1]

His grandfather died when he was 2. He was there. His grandmother died when he was 5 and watched me cry for the first time. His dog died when he was 7 and he walked 2 miles with me to bury him. We watched a man die just a few weeks ago as CPR failed.

We have talked many times. He understands. Everything dies. Fear will not stop it.

 

[Noveltymortar]

Just direct their thoughts elsewhere by telling them about childhood cancer.

 

[Ladder Master]

Just let them know the burden of the never ending grind of working full time, and the finance draining
fucked up healthcare system, are worse than death.

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