We love our children and do everything we can to shield them from harm whenever possible. However, there are some realities from which we cannot protect them—and one of these is the subject of death. Sooner or later, children will encounter the loss of a loved one, a pet, or even a friend or classmate. Reality can hit hard when that happens, and they will naturally turn to us for guidance and answers.
Children are deeply empathetic, and our grief can stir profound confusion and pain in them. They dislike seeing us sad and struggle to make sense of the situation, grappling with their fears in the process. Death is undoubtedly one of the most challenging aspects of life that they must eventually face.
I remember the first time I experienced this as a child when I lost my dog, Max, in an accident. My entire world was shaken, and it took me a long time to process the grief. The experience also brought with it an overwhelming fear: the realization that one day I would lose my parents too, and they would no longer be there to comfort me. Death has a cruel way of isolating us, exposing our vulnerabilities, and confronting us with our deepest fears.
Having lost several loved ones in the past year, I’ve been preparing my 8-year-old daughter by gradually introducing her to the concept of death and the idea of life after death. She’s asked thoughtful and intelligent questions, and I’ve made a point to be open and honest. While I aim to educate her on the subject, I’m careful not to impose my personal beliefs, allowing her to form her own understanding. My ultimate goal is to help her see that death is not the end and to reassure her that when our time comes, her mother and I will remain with her in spirit.
What do you think is the best way to educate children about death? Is it better to avoid and dismiss the topic whenever it arises? Or should we address it early to help cushion the emotional blow when the inevitable occurs?
