ADVICE needed: Talking about death with very young children

[myturn]

There's a great story book called "lifetimes" and it talks about how everything has a lifetime, animals, plants etc "even the smallest ant" They are born, they live and then they die. I would strongly suggest reading this to them.

Stick the following into a search engine: Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between: Authors: Robert Ingpen & Bryan Mellonie

Small children in particular don't actually understand the abstract concept of heaven etc - although certainly you should talk about what you actually believe - but heaven is still a "place" and the concept of a place that you cannot go is difficult to explain and for children to understand.

It is also okay to say to children that "you don't know" so if you can't answer a question - or it takes you by surprise and don't now how to answer, you can say - "hmm, that's a tricky one, let me think about it - can you ask me again tomorrow?" (and they may - or may not! - actually ask you) it gives you time to think of how you want to answer.

It's great that you are thinking through what you might say, but you can't plan for every question! So just go with the flow, and be okay with not knowing or not being able to answer! (eventually our kids will learn we don't know everything anyway!!) lol

Good luck! let us know how you go