Helping Children Understand
Pet loss brings a host of painful questions for children too – here are some of the questions children ask:
- Why did my cat die?
- Did I cause her death?
- Will I die too?
As the parent of three children, and three grandchildren, I can help you listen for the “questions behind the questions”, and know how to answer them.
“There is only one smartest dog in the world, and every child has it.” -Anonymous
When a pet dies, it’s common for people to feel as though they’ve lost a member of the family. For children, this is often their first encounter with death.
The death of a child’s beloved pet matters a great deal in his or her young life. How this is handled will remain with the child for the rest of his or her life.
Explaining a pet’s death to children in a clear, respectful manner can go a long way toward making the journey a little less distressful, and at the same time enhance your connection with your child. We have a strong obligation with them to begin their experience of death in a constructive manner.
Counseling can help you help your children understand what they are feeling following the loss of a pet.
If you have children in your life who are suffering from the loss of a pet please give me a call so we can talk about ways to help.
