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Our Hamster died...now what?

nelleynelley
in Pre-School and Daycare

He died last night, he was slowing down a bit, so I knew it was coming.  I'm a teacher so he's at work with me during the school year, but we take care of him during the holidays and breaks.  My son is 3 and very attached.  This is the cosby episode I was dreading.  Now I don't know what to do?  He's in the cage, so I can't just say, he's gone.  Should we do a burial?  How much can a 3yr old grasp about death w/o being scared for himself or us or his grandparents?  Any advice will be much appreciated.

 

The only positive thing is school hasn't started here yet, so I will not have 25 grieving 2nd graders. 

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Re: Our Hamster died...now what?

  • metiscametisca

    We have not had to go death of pets, but my grandma recently died and DD would ask where she was - she knew something was different.  So we told her that Great Grandma was old and she died, and now she's in Heaven.  Just straightforward.  She understands that as much as a 3 year olf can, I think. 

    I think if you keep it simple, he'll understand and hopefully be ok with it.  I don't know that I'd let him see the dead hamster though - maybe just take care of it and tell him afterwards.  Sorry you have to do this! 

     

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  • nelleynelley
    yeah, he's downstairs in the cage.  in his usual corner.  since it's daytime, he thinks he's sleeping he knows hamsters are nocturnal, so I have a little time to make a decision.  thanks for the advice. 
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  • nelleynelley

    ok i had the talk it went WAY better than expected,  

    me: sol you know that mr. buttercup wasnt playing in his ball like he usually does b/c he was sick?
    sol: yeahh
    me: so when animals get really sick they sometimes go to sleep and their spirits go to God....
    sol, ok, can i play w/the computer?
    me: sol did you hear me?
    sol: yup,
    me: so mommy & daddy will bury him outside if he doesn't wake up.
    sol: NO, the cats will dig him up and get him (big eyes, very worried look)
    me: what should we do?
    sol: hmmmm we should put him in an aquarium, THEN bury him
    me: (amazed) so we put him w/the fish!!

    sol: he laughed and said no his own aquarium,

    me: ohhh so we bury him, but in a glass container like an aquarium so the cats can't get to him.
    so: yup
    me: high 5, thats a great idea, that's what'll we do.

     

    hubby starts looking for a shoe box, i said no he'll make that association every time.  I could hear him now "emember when we buried mr. buttercup in a shoebox?"  So He's looking for a "hamster box".  

     

    Thanks again for the advice.

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