My grandmother passed away this morning and my wife and I are split on what and how to tell my 4 year old. He's very smart and doesn't miss a thing. He already knows she was sick and has been asking people at church to pray for her so we can't not tell him. He seems to know what death is but it's hard to tell if he understands the permanence of it.
I want to be direct. Sit him down and tell him she's gone to heaven and that we won't see her again. He'll be sad, but I feel like death is part of life and he needs to learn that.
My wife feels like it's too early, but I think really she just doesn't want him to be sad.
Those of you who have had to deal with this before, how did you handle it?
Side note: My mother in law (who he's much closer to) has cancer and I feel like this could somewhat help prepare him in case her condition worsens and we have to do this again soon.
I want to be direct. Sit him down and tell him she's gone to heaven and that we won't see her again. He'll be sad, but I feel like death is part of life and he needs to learn that.
My wife feels like it's too early, but I think really she just doesn't want him to be sad.
Those of you who have had to deal with this before, how did you handle it?
Side note: My mother in law (who he's much closer to) has cancer and I feel like this could somewhat help prepare him in case her condition worsens and we have to do this again soon.
