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Explaining death to a 4 year old? *Edit*
posted to Newcomers Club - Active discussion
in The CafeMom Newcomers Club
on Jul. 4, 2009 at 5:17 AM
- 13 Replies
- 191 Total Views
A few weeks ago my daughter's fish died and I supose I should have taken that as an ample oportunity to explain death to her. It was just a fish, right? Well I didn't, I fibbed and told her that we took him to be with his friends at the mal pond(there are large fish that look just like him there). Well, @ 2am our 9 month old cat died in my arms(he's been ill since he was born), now what am I suposed to tell her when she wakes and our cat is gone? I am sitting here with a swollen thumb from where his jaw loced down and a dead kitty and no idea what to tell her PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!
Edit -
Should I tell her this morning and risk the day or should I wait till tomorrow(I think I may be albe to distract her enough between getting ready to go and being out all day). We live in the city, any suggestions for...well you know?
Replies:
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- by on Jul. 4, 2009 at 10:26 AM
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That is where we took Shadow and they were wonderful. I really hope they are open for you today! Good luck momma, Im so sorry :(
Quoting Little_bug:
Thank you, I would NEVER put him in the trash, unfortunatly there is no room in our freezer, IDk what to do with him, I hope Banfield's in Petsmart will be open, IDk, though, no other vets I have seen are. I will be driing over there @ 9am to find out(hope Hannah will not be up yet, but, she probably will be)
Oh yeah, what about a cooler? Maybe that would work. IDK, I've never had to do such a thing...
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- by on Jul. 4, 2009 at 10:33 AM
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My son's cat was hit by an idiot on or street next to my mail box on Feb 16, 2008. My son was 4 at the time. I told him exactly what happened. A car hit him...but I didn't tell him it was on purpose. I told him Casper is with Jesus. My kids go to a christian school so it gave him comfort knowing where Casper is. We still go through days when he still mourns for Casper with big Alligator tears because he misses him dearly. We talk about and give hugs.. I feel its best to tell them the truth. Just because they are that young doesn't mean they don't understand.
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- by on Jul. 4, 2009 at 10:34 AM
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My kids are almost three and two. Because of the death of a close friend back in January I explained to them both about death, and what happens when one dies. I didn't know if they full understood death until our cat brought us a bird he caught. My oldest (who will be three in a month) said 'mama, that bird died" even before I could say anything to him. It's amazing how quickly children grasp the concept of things.
I am sure your child will have a lot of questions about death, but the best thing you can do is explain it to her on a level she'll understand. I think it's be best if you let her know today, (especially since you'll be out of the house all day). That way she won't dwell on in. Good luck!
and I am sorry about the passing of your kitten.
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