I mentioned our family cat dying recently and how I didnt want to go with my sister because i wasnt sure i should have to explain death to a two year old yet....

Last time we were at mums she didnt utter a word so figured it had passed her by but today she turned to my mum and said 'Omas where's Purd?' (Purdy the cat) and my mum said shes not here anymore caelyn and caelyn said well go find her then oma. Mum got quite upset so brought her out to me cos i was arsing around with the car seat and said what should I say to her lise.

So i knelt down and said Purdy cats gone caelyn we wont get to see her anymore. She was an old lady and sometimes when people get old they get too tired so they go to a place called heaven to rest. Shes got lots of nice food and toys there and other cats to play with and she can see us but wont be coming back anymore.

Ive no idea if i got it right or not, didnt think id be talking to a toddler about it. i didnt wanna tell her purdy went to sleep and scare her about sleeping and so many other things people put the fear of god into you traumatising your toddler with. What do you guys think

We had to explain the same to Izzy when my mums dog died....she know the 'words' ...as in 'Mini has gone away, Mini has died' ....but I don't think she understand s what that means cos she still asks everytime we are there 'where Mini is' :-(

Sounds like a good explaination to me. I probably would have said the same type of thing to Imogen. We haven't had the talk yet as she was only 16months when my Nanna died and not talking and I don't think she had any idea what was going on. I didn't hide her from anything, took her to the funeral but tbh I think for her it was a bit of a party as all the family were there and it was an upbeat wake after with nice food.

had the conversation a few too many times i'm afraid, you did the right thing hun,

when our rabbit died we said he had gone to play with nanna in heaven, i think saying they went to sleep is too near to them, they understand sleep.

my sil and bro are having to talk to neice at the moment because she is having thoughts about dying, and its preventing her getting to sleep.

i think you did a great job hun,

Brilliant explanation hun, its so difficult to know what to say for the best.



Libby knows about dying but I dont think she fully understands.



xx

sounds like a great way to explain it hun x

I think you explained it well. I've never thought about it really but it makes sense that theyd get confused about sleeping. x

I think you explained it brilliantly.



When my nephew died my brother read a book to my niece to explain it to her but Megan was older than C



xx

i think you explained it prefectly xx

Thats a good way to explain it.
Oliver understands dying in the respect 'the battaries have died' (they don't work anymore) and insects/bee's dying.
But we've never had to explain about a loved one dying