Serious Question

How would you explain death to a 3-year-old?

She has lost her grandma, a dear family friend, and just this weekend, her other grandma. All to cancer. All in the last two years. (Cancer can go fuck itself, by the way.) She saw them while they were in hospitals and hospice, clearly ill, deteriorating, but is emphatic that they will get better and come back very soon. She is heartbreakingly expectant.

My tactic so far has been to have no idea what my tactic should be, feel sad because I miss the person too, start to cry, then promptly change the subject before she notices I’m crying. I know. Smooth, right?

  1. jeeneebee answered: There is a great book that explains death to children: The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages. (Sorry for your loss).
  2. monkeyfrog answered: Be honest. Just be yourself and explain it honestly. Avoiding is bewildering.
  3. onesmallfire said: I’m so sorry for your loss and all the pain from the last few years. Young children are amazingly resilient, she may even smile and laugh at the funeral. When she does feel sad, just let her know that it’s ok to feel that way, that you are both sad.
  4. wordishness answered: I’m so sorry. I think it’s good to show her you’re sad, and tell her why. Don’t teach her to hide her feelings; talk with her about loss.
  5. pocketcontents reblogged this from mayjah and added:
    know this, but it’s ok for her...see you sad. It lets...know...
  6. clapifyoulikeme said: I can offer no advice, just my sympathies.
  7. doublejack answered: I’m sorry, and I wish you the best, but I have no idea. My gut says “lots and lots of hugs,” which at least couldn’t hurt. (*hug*)
  8. mayjah posted this

NIGHTNIGHT by DEDDY