Hellobee Boards

My son started asking about it around 3. I think part of the answer really depends on your religion (or lack thereof). I told my son that every living thing dies someday, including people. He immediately equated it to me dying someday and got really upset (and so did I). But I kind of fibbed and told him people don't die until they are older or really sick. I tried to steer the conversation more to things like plants and bugs and dinosaurs. We've had a few friends who have lost dogs recently and we've talked about that and how it's a natural thing. Luckily, we've never had anyone he's close to die, but he knows my mom died. However, it's just a fact to him since it happened well before he was born.

I think he understands that they go somewhere and we won't see them again. Our dog passed about about a year and a half ago, and he still talks about her regularly. He tells people she died and that he misses her, but is very matter-of-fact about it all. He also likes to act out dramatic deaths now, too, but I think that's a normal kid thing to do. I always try to be as straight to the point about it all without giving too much info because I don't want to make it seem like a big deal.We never told him that we buried the dog or that she's underground, because I think that sounded scary.

He goes to a Christian school, so he's fairly content for now believing that everyone gets to go and hang out with God at some point.

Ugh, I was just about to post something about this. My in-laws have a 13 year old dog, and between my husband and I my 3-year-old daughter has three great-grandparents over the age of 95 so this is on my mind. I'm thinking of easing into the topic relatively soon and I feel so over my head!

@catlady: I laughed so hard at your "the cat died in the living room!" misunderstanding.

I think 4 is an age to start understanding this concept. My MIL died when LO was 3. At 4.5 LO really started to ask questions about MIL and we had to go through it all again about how she's dead, where she is, why, etc. She's pretty non-emotional about it and it seems to make adults uncomfortable. Recently someone told her about how they were a Nana (older woman in the airport) and LO just looked at her and said, "Oh, my Nana died". The poor lady didn't know what to say next.

Yes, she was so sad about the fact that our dog will die one day. She used to pray our dog would live forever and not die.

we've had 3 dogs die within two years and my grandfather died in January so this is a subject we've unfortunately had to deal with. I do agree that it stems from your religious views. We really try to keep it short and say they are no longer with us but are happy in heaven and they won't be coming back. I typically have a death conversation with my four year old at least once a week in the car.