If your childs small pet died(gerbal, hamster, rabbit, etc.) would you try to find them a replacement?

Question

My brother and sister-n-law asked me to babysit my 5 year old nephew while they went out of town overnight. I didn't realize that my nephew had gotten up early the next morning and went into my sons room. He opened my sons rabbit's cage, took the rabbit out, and according to him, he threw the rabbit on the floor. I don't know if it scratched him or what. Well, the rabbit died. My son had only had it for 2 weeks. I decided that in order to keep my son from finding out that his cousin killed the rabbit, and to avoid my son having ill feelings towards my nephew, I would try to find a replacement rabbit, that looks very similar to the one that died. My son barely had time to get close to the other rabbit, so if I find one similar enough to the other one, I really don't think he would know that it wasn't the same rabbit. I know all animals have different personalities, but I don't think he had this rabbit long enough to know it's personality. Would you do this for your child?

Answer 1

No, I wouldn't try to replace it without letting my child know what happened.  The truth always comes out.  Better to help him learn how to deal with these kind of things now, than let him figure it out for himself (or worse, not figure it out at all).

Answer 2

I think it's a good opportunity to talk to your son about death. You don't necessarily have to tell him that his cousin did it. But depending on your spiritual beliefs, you could explain it in a way that a small child could understand.

Answer 3

Personally i wouldnt. When my childrens hamster's have died we have held funerals and discussed death so they could understand. Then after a week or so we got a new pet. But we never hid death from them.

Answer 4

Yeah but then if he finds out he will be real angry at you. Honestly if I was in your place and this is my opinion, I would tell him that the rabbit died and if he wants to he can go with me to pick out  a different rabbit. And if he says yeah take him with you and let him pick one out. He will be excited just to pick the one he wants out. Good luck.

Answer 5

i would replace it, after all what he dont know wont hurt him i guess, but still u should explain it and have the cousin talk to him to and say im sorry, and have them both go to the pet store together and pick a rabbit out

Answer 6

I think you are doing a good job in protecting your child from death. You should get another rabbit and just replace it. then when hes older you can explain what death is.

Answer 7

In the situation you described...yeah, I'd probably try to pass off a new bunny.  If he notices you can tell him the truth (or a version of it) but if he isn't any the wiser...crisis averted.