A very dear friend of mine died by suicide last week. My 4yo daughter who is obsessed with death, saw me crying yesterday during his memorial service and afterwards. She wanted to know why I was crying and I told her that my friend had died and told her some stories about him and times that she had been with him too. Then she wanted details…
Our dog is sick and might pass away. Should I include my children to say goodbye?
We’re in a very weird stage now as we don’t know how much longer our dog has with us.
I've been crying a whole lot lately and the kids know she’s not doing well. Tonight we dropped her off at the er and we don’t know if she’ll come back home though I’m hopeful.
We’ve been talking to the kids and answering their questions as best as we can... but if I’m being honest, I’d love some space to just be sad, which I tell them but I don't think they get it and I don’t know how to help them through this.
How do I handle a big, loud and physical tantrum in a healthy way?
Yesterday was my daughter’s first day back at school for the full day 9-4. It was a long day and the first scheduled day like that all summer. She is going through a phase where she only wears dresses. During school she got her dress very dirty. She went to get new clothes from her cubby and when she got there she noticed I packed her a bunch of beautiful t-shirts and pants (because they are clothes I figure we won’t use so they could be at school) she was SO disappointed and cried for a while at school.
When I arrived to pick her up, she was clearly upset with me. Once we got down to the parking garage she let it all out! She said she needed a dress and immediately took off her t-shirt and pushed me, hit me, pulled my hair, and pretended to spit on me. She shared she didn’t like me any more and wanted a new mommy.
My 4yo is very concerned with mortality. How can I help him understand and feel at ease?
My overly curious, smart, and big feeling 4-yr-old is connecting the dots too quickly (beyond what I think others would consider “age appropriate” contemplations or discussions) on mortality.
A combination of factors seem to be creating a heartbreaking realization in him that every once in a while, always in the still cuddle moments before bed, have him asking questions (with voice breaking, bottom lip quivering, and eyes swelling with tears) like:
“Mom, can we be together forever?”
“Can we ask God to please let us live on Earth together forever?”
“Is one of us going to go to Heaven before the other one does?”
My 5yo is grieving her grandmother, how can I help her?
My 5yo daughter lost her grandmother to cancer. It was a hard hit on her. They had a very special connection. After 5 months now, she still says (pretty much every day if not at least twice a week) , that she is sad and that she misses her so much. It is usually in her quiet moments that she talks about her and asks us very creative questions/ideas to bring her back. For instance, today she asked us if we could get into a rocket ship to reach the stars and bring her back. Not sure if all those questions/ideas are part of her grieving or if I need to get some help for her. How long might this grieving last? It is heartbreaking to watch this. Please advise!