Hard Conversations: DEATH PART TWO

So now that we've established WHY you need to have this conversation let's talk about HOW.

Because "just be honest" is not enough. You need actual language. And the language changes depending on how old your child is.

Here is a starting place:

AGES 2–5:

Keep it simple and concrete. "When something dies it means their body stopped working and they are not coming back. But we believe that people who love God go to be with Him and they are not hurting anymore."

Do not use sleep as a metaphor. Children this age can develop fear of going to sleep.

AGES 6–9:

They can handle a little more. "Death means the person's body stopped working completely and we won't see them here anymore. It is okay to feel sad. God tells us that for people who believe in Him, death is not the end they go to be with Him in heaven."

Answer their questions directly. Don't shut them down.

AGES 10–13:

They are thinking about it more than you know. Open the door. "Have you ever thought about what happens when people die? I want to talk to you about what I believe and also hear what you think."

Give them space to process. Their questions are not disrespect they are development.

TEENS:

Be real. "I know this is a heavy topic. But I would rather you hear this from me than figure it out alone. Death is part of life and I want you to have something solid to stand on when it comes around

You do not have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to sit in the question with them.

God is not afraid of the hard questions. Neither should we be.

💬 Which age group is hardest for you to have this conversation with? Drop it below let's talk through it.

☀️ Tomorrow morning we are talking about Divorce and Family Separation what your child is carrying silently and how to help them carry it. Don't miss it.

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Hard Conversations: DEATH PART TWO