How do you explain death to a 5 year old?

Question

my sister in-laws baby died a suspiciouse death while in daycare and it is under investigation! i was there when this baby was born and i was there when she visited her baby in the mourge :( it was the sadest thing i have ever experienced in my life! i am 24 weeks pregnant and this experience has really taken a toll on me i cant sleep right and i have know idea how to tell my 5 year old that his little cuisin that he was so close to and adored has died! my little boy loves babies and he is so emotional because he has such a big heart :) i have been really stressing over this! do you have any ideas?

Answer 1

My dad died when my little brother was five. I don't know what your beliefs are, but my mom told my brother that his dad was in Heaven, and we would see him again someday. We also try to still talk about him, so he still remembers plenty about him-and has all of those happy memories.

I'm so sorry this happened to your family.

smarty pants- What? It's her son, of course it's her place to tell him what happened. Otherwise, it's bottled up inside and he doesn't feel like he has anyone to talk to about it when he's sad.

Answer 2

First tell him that he died and went to heaven to be with god and ________

Second tell him that sometimes god take special people early

Third, see a grief counselor

My daughter was two when her father died

That how I explained it to her

How I tell her friends when the ask is

You know most mommy's and Daddy's grow up to be parents, well some time they go to heaven Early to be with god, not offend

This way I do not make the children to fear their father could died

Answer 3

i think you should tell him that his cousin is in Heaven w/ the angels now...and maybe if you say prayers w/ him at bed time..you could say something like..dear god please tell ____ that we love him and we hope he's playing and happy...

I think it might help if your son feels he can still talk to his cousin...just for the first bit anyway..

sorry about your loss, that's such a sin..... i wish your family well....

Answer 4

Just explain that his cousin, went to heaven because god needed him, and that one day god will want him to come join in also, when he gets older. And give him lots of love!

Your family is in my prayers!

Answer 5

Tell him the truth. The baby died, and is in heaven. Answer any questions, and be there to comfort him.

I'm sorry this happened, and I hope they find out EXACTLY what happened at the daycare. Do they have leads already?

Answer 6

My niece is 4 ( turns 5 in october). When he grandfather died(due to cancer) my sister  told her that her grandpa was sick and went to heaven.

Answer 7

How sad for you all. I would tell your son that his cousin was ill and had to go and live with the Angels, where he will get better. But will have to live with the angel family's now. Good luck x

Answer 8

my sister died when I was 3 and I remember alot of it and I am upset that my mom just kept it from us cause she was not ready to talk. Recently last year my father died and I had to stay with my mom for the funeral stuff cause i lived 3 hrs away. My half siblings we not allowed to know but we got her to cave and explained it to my brother who was about 8 my sis who is was like 6 was not allowed to know. Even when I had to carry the urn out of her house I had to tell her it was a rock. MY blood brother (16) lives with them and is not allowed to have his fathers remains cause of my half sis. It depends on how you feel. I feel a 5 yrd old can understand it. A couple things to think about for you to make your choice, whats your religion and how have you talked to your child and do they understand it. I understood death from being catholic and learning about god. Keep it to the basic, Tell him as little as possible but ask if he has questions and answer them HONESTLY, Tell him she was called up to god (or who you believe in im just gonna use god hope I dont offend you) to become an angel. That he/she is watching over him. Dont tell him that the baby was ill or hurt by someone if might make him afraid that it will happen to him. He might become depressed and for a while, When my friends sister died after her heart transplant the two lil kids who were with her all the time had to be told (they knew she was going for surgery cause she was in the hospital alot) They shut down and would not talk for a while (sad to say we all did) but they talked them through and counseling is always a good idea. Go with your heart, Im sorry about everything and remember to take care of the lil one in your belly as well as your son.

Answer 9

First, make sure it's your place/right.job to be the one who does it.  So many people take things into their own hands.  Get permission from the parents first... if permission is acquired, then you may proceed by finding a dead moth and a live moth- or something.

I wouldn't even discuss it iwth the child unless they asked first.  It may be too premature.