Explaining death to son

[julietakase]

Hello,

Our 12 yr old dog, just passed away today. What is the best way to explain death to my 5 year old grandson? He seems to believe that Tray will be coming home and I'd like to make this as painless as possible? Would it be best for me to do it in a group setting with my older 2 kids or one on one?

 

[Diane_Windsor]

I don't have any advice. Just wanted to say sorry about your dog.

 

[Lime Flower]

I understood death before the age of five, and our method is to speak to our kids directly but kindly. Simply say that your dog was old and his body stopped working, but his soul (if you believe animals have souls) is alive and in Heaven.

Dogs are the hardest pets to lose, in my experience. You have my sympathies.

 

[homeofmew]

I understood death before the age of five, and our method is to speak to our kids directly but kindly. Simply say that your dog was old and his body stopped working, but his soul (if you believe animals have souls) is alive and in Heaven.

Dogs are the hardest pets to lose, in my experience. You have my sympathies.

I would agree with this.
Tell him the dog was old and died.
And that he had a long good life.

I remember when I was little my parents told me
"Death is like Sleeping but you don't wake up."
He'll get all the medical reasoning when he gets older.
But I always felt like this is an acceptable answer.

 

[Kol]

Not to tell OP she is "too late" but I think it's important to start teaching about death from the beginning.

Whenever we have bugs in the house, I use them to explain death to my son. Death means the bug is "broken," and he "can't go no more."