How to tell the bad news to the child

Talk to the child about something awful hard - especially when it comes to the death or illness of someone close or that beloved dog does not return from the veterinary clinic. In sabreddite entry on child-rearing, the user HowToExplain12 I asked Council in a difficult situation.

The entire family of his girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter was killed by their own father, who then shot himself, and the asker does not know how to tell a child. Detailed and exhaustive answer brought user under the name Lexi_St-James, who worked in the hospice, and he often had to tell the bad news to very different people. Here is what he advised:

• First of all say that there was something very sad, and you want to talk about it. Take the child to the place where he would feel comfortable and safe - you can go into the yard, if there is not a lot of people. But in the children we are not talking, not to create an association of this news with a personal place of the child.
• Your posture should express that you are open for discussion and support. Best of all - to sit in front and take the child by the hand.
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• Start with the most important details. In this situation - that her friends and her family no longer exists. Do not rush to continue to give the child to comprehend everything.
• Gently ask how he feels. Emphasize that any emotion is normal and you're here, next to support him.
• From this moment, let the child lead the conversation and ask questions. Do not go into unnecessary details, but answer honestly.
• When the flow stops questions, ask what he wanted to do now. Do all people have different mechanics to deal with stress, and children are no exception. Maybe he needs to be alone in her room. Or, on the contrary, it would be better if he is going to eat a bucket of ice cream with the family. Do not try to decide what would be best for him.

These tips are tied to a particular situation, but it should work when you need to tell your child about the loss or illness.