Explaining death to a child – it’s a subject that we, naturally as humans tend to avoid.

But did you know how important it actually is for you to do this?
In Australia 1 in 20 children by the age of 18 will have experienced the loss of a parent. That statistic doesn’t include losing both parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family, classmate or even the family pet.

For me that statistic is 1 in 10 as I lost my much loved Pop at 11 and my dad at 15.

Explaining death to a child doesn’t have to be a difficult task and what you need to know is that children see the world in colour. They also take things very personally.They will think that they may have done something wrong, that in some way they may be responsible for what has happened.

We as adults see the world in a much more black and white way.

It’s difficult to put into words what happens when we die, because more often than not, we’re grieving the loss as well, we’re not always in the right headspace when death occurs.

Death is something that we aren’t always prepared for, it usually comes along and hits us like a freight train.

So, how do you go about explaining death to a child? For starters, don’t make it complicated!!

Just ask them what they think happens when you die, you may be quite surprised!  And from there you can talk about your beliefs and what you think happens.  There’s no right or wrong, just go with the pace that they set.Why?

Children will absorb what they need to know, then go away and process it and come back to you with some more questions. Don’t overload them.
It doesn’t have to be left until someone has passed away, in fact, I believe that it’s important to not leave it until then.

Why?  Because it’s a topic that should be brought up and spoken about in a matter of fact way, your children are exposed to death all the time through media and you just may be surprised what ideas they have formulated around it.

We teach children about life. We teach them how to get through life, but we don’t teach them about death. Nor how to get through the death of someone close to them.

Death is just a part of life.

It’s inevitable and I believe by talking openly and honestly to your children about it, you are going to reduce their anxiety and fear around death.

Don’t you think that as a parent or grandparent by letting your children or grandchildren know what little signs you are going to leave them when you die that it will give them some hope?  Something to look out for so that they stay connected with you?

Still feeling stuck on how to go about talking to your child about death?

I have written a book specifically on this topic to help you and it has won three international book awards!

This book can be used when someone dies to help with the explanation or it can be used as a tool to open up the conversation before the death of a loved one.

Where Did They Go? Is a book that strives to help you to talk to your child about death and where a loved one or special pet goes when they pass on, sometimes unexpectedly. There are times when life’s more serious side can enter into a child’s life, perhaps sooner than we would wish for them. Bereavement is one such time and, while we would like to shield them from pain, explaining death to a child is a fundamental part of life and must be faced.
This book helps to deal with just that. It gently, and with great sensitivity, is about explaining death to a child, reminding them that this is only ever temporary and that wherever they go, the spirit of their loved one or pet travels with them always.
To purchase your copy just click on this link >>HERE