Table of Contents
- 1 How do I talk to my 5 year old about his absent father?
- 2 How do you answer a death question for kids?
- 3 Is it normal for a 3 year old to talk about death?
- 4 What questions do kids ask about death?
- 5 How do you tell your kids that their father is dead?
- 6 Does your child have questions about why their father isn’t in life?
How do I talk to my 5 year old about his absent father?
How To Talk To Your Child About An Absent Father
- Answer all questions simply and generally.
- Never speak ill of the other parent.
- Always validate their feelings.
- Reiterate that it’s not their fault.
- Make a list of the dad’s good qualities.
- Identify father figures in their life now.
How do you answer a death question for kids?
It is best to answer honestly, giving information in a way that is appropriate for the age of the child. Listen carefully, and answer only the question the child is asking. Try not to overwhelm the child with information. If you’re not sure you understand what the child is asking, ask for clarification.
What do you tell a 3 year old about death?
Give brief, simple answers. Young children can’t handle too much information at once. At this age, it’s most helpful to explain death in terms of physical functions that have ceased, rather than launching into a complicated discussion of a particular illness: “Now that Uncle John has died, his body has stopped working.
What do you say when your child asks where your dad is?
How to Answer Kids’s Questions About Absent Fathers
- Common Questions.
- Consider Talking Points.
- Tell the Truth.
- Validate Their Feelings.
- Avoid Bashing.
- Share Positive Memories.
- Identify Father Figures.
- Give Them Tools to Cope.
Is it normal for a 3 year old to talk about death?
It may be unsettling to hear your preschooler talking about death but it’s developmentally normal. At this age, they’re obsessed with the “whys” of the world. They’re trying to make sense of everything in the world around them… including death.
What questions do kids ask about death?
If you tell a child or young person that someone close to them has died, they may have lots of questions….Children may ask things like:
- What exactly happened when my mum died?
- Did you see her die?
- Was she in pain? Did it hurt?
- What did the doctor say?
Is it normal for a 3 year old to ask about death?
It is not uncommon for a three year old to ask questions about death, for a child to be openly unconcerned about the death of a grandparent yet devastated over the death of a pet. Some children show their understanding of death through playing with their toys.
What do you say to a child when a parent dies?
Tell your child what to expect. If the death of a loved one means changes in your child’s life, head off any worries or fears by explaining what will happen. For example, “Aunt Sara will pick you up from school like Grandma used to.” Or, “I need to stay with Grandpa for a few days.
How do you tell your kids that their father is dead?
Stick to the facts, but share them in a sensitive and caring way. And, whatever you do, don’t tell your kids that their father is dead. Eventually, the truth will come out and children usually end up resenting their moms for this lie when they get older. Instead of pretending that Dad doesn’t exist, tell them the truth.
Does your child have questions about why their father isn’t in life?
Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. It’s natural for kids to have questions about why their father isn’t in their life. As painful as it is to be the one stuck doing the explaining, these questions are ones you cannot ignore.