Judy H. Wright

Explaining Death to Children



Posted: Tuesday, November 02, 2010

by Judy H. Wright
Artichoke Press

As I write this article, Spring is coming in Montana. The birds are singing, the grass is turning green and the whole world looks brighter and more optimistic to me. But I understand that all of life is beginnings and endings. Starts and stops. Mornings and nights. Planting and harvesting.

Births and Deaths

Children can sense the excitement of a new baby. Even when it is not in the family, but a stranger in the grocery store, the sight of a baby makes people happy. Just hearing a baby coo makes everyone around it smile. Births signify new beginnings and joy.

Since death is the natural ending of the life cycle, this too must be shared and explained to our children as a matter of life. We want them to have a curiosity about babies and their potential and yet we shy away from sharing information about the other end of the cycle.

Unpleasant as death and loss is to us personally, it is important to have an ongoing dialog if they will have the opportunity to mature in their thought process and accept what must be. We are all mortal and we will all die at some point.

Examine Your Death History

Before you begin talking to your child about the subject of death, you as an adult, need to examine how you feel. Recalling the emotions around how death was handled when you were a child, may give you words and experiences to help your child deal with the reality.

Do you recall how you felt when you saw your pet die from an accident, or heard that your beloved grandmother had passed away? What were your reactions when adults did not give you "the rest of the story" about a family member's suicide?

Use Books To Teach

Books play an important part in opening up conversations and giving an opportunity to share thoughts. Reading with your child is a comfortable, natural thing to do (I hope). Books are helpful when it comes time to introduce a difficult subject and most have illustrations that help to motivate an exchange of ideas.

Some that come to mind are:

It may be hard for you if you were brought up in a "closed family" where secrets were common and and emotions not dealt with directly. You will want to create a more honest and open relationship with your child about all the cycles of life.

I have confidence in you.
Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, the storytelling trainer is an Author of over 20 books, International Speaker and Life Educator who owns and operates ArtichokePress.com.

She runs a global online business from her home office marketing eBooks, tele-classes, newsletters, family coaching and a number of related products. At http://www.ArtichokePress.com you will receive free articles and a subscription to the newsletter The Artichoke-finding the heart of the story in the journey of life.

A recent client said, "Being with Judy, whether in person, print or tele-class is like having a cup of tea with a loving Auntie who wants the best for you and yours."

You will find her work warm, witty and packed with wisdom to make your life easier and more abundant.

Please join her community of kind, thoughtful people today.

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