On the theme of ghosts and the afterlife, lately Charlie has been asking me about death.

It's probably because the other day, we were all at a friends place and Charlie was climbing up some random stuff trying to get onto the fireplace mantel. It was EXTREMELY dangerous and so I told him, "Try not to die, ok?"

I guess that left an impression, because he started talking about it and saying, "Remember when we were at ___'s house and you said to me, try not to die?" I would say yes, and then he would ask me questions about it. I was kind of vague in answering, since he's so young.

I didn't think he understood what it was, but then yesterday he said to me, "Daddy, is dying like going to sleep but you never wake up?"

I said, "Yes, that's true. But don't worry, because I will keep you safe."

He still looked scared and said, "But I don't want to die, Daddy."

I got down to his eye level and said, "Of course you are not going to die Charlie, because then how would we be best friends forever?"

Then I pinky promised him that I would protect him and we'd be best friends forever. He was satisfied, and I gave him a big hug to comfort him (and me too, let's be honest). I did feel guilty that I wasn't being completely honest with him about how death works, but I was thrown off by how scared he sounded. He's not even 3 yet... what was I thinking by even mentioning it casually?!

I learned my lesson: no more references to dying!! I think it's good that he knows that we aren't invulnerable, but I don't want him to be worried about dying just yet. I can't believe how he figured out what dying is. Maybe someone else explained it to him?? I have never heard him so scared of anything before.

Does your LO ever ask you about death? What will you say when the subject comes up?