Dead fish..tell him or replace??

crunchymochamommy

Ok moms I have a WWYD question .My son's red betta fish died today. He has had him for 2 years and really love this fish. It's taught him a great deal of responsibility. I really didn't think the thang would last this long.

Anyway my hubby says that we should go ahead and tell him since he is 5 and able to comprehend death. I'm just a little nervous because he has a lot to take in and adjust to coming up. We are relocating in the next few months, new baby, dead fish....

Would it be wrong just to replace the $1.99 fish just to avoid this situation for a little while longer or is it best just to get it over with???  What would you do?

Jasmineeelizabeth

Mamasighs:

I have a very matter of fact 4 almost 5 year old, so I would tell him. If yours is less so, is very sensitive and or extremely attached to his pet, I don't see the harm in doing a quick change out. He has plenty of time to learn about the harsh realities of life.

This. 

With a bunch of big changes I would just switch out the fish. It's not like the next fish will live forever, you will still get a teaching opportunity.

danigirl7181

Mamasighs:

I have a very matter of fact 4 almost 5 year old, so I would tell him. If yours is less so, is very sensitive and or extremely attached to his pet, I don't see the harm in doing a quick change out. He has plenty of time to learn about the harsh realities of life.

I agree with this completely. He will have a live time to learn the realities of life.

valstulas

I think it's fine whichever you decide. If he gets a new fish, it will eventually die and you will have your teaching moment then. Although hopefully at that time the teaching moment won't coincide with another change, like starting school, getting another new sibling, or a family death.

But I think telling him about the fish's death is fine, too. Personally, this is the route I would choose, even with the imminent arrival of a new sibling. I think death is way too stigmatized and that we protect our children from it far too much in our society. However, that's more a philosophical reason than may be practical, given the circumstance.

[Deleted User]

I'd probably tell him. He might just forget tomorrow anyway. Not forget about the fish, but the sadness associated with it. Then you can get a new blue one or something:)

mrschristinalou

Tell him the truth

crunchymochamommy

Thanks so much for the input ladies! I really appreciate it! I decided to replace the fish. He fed him this morning and didn't notice so I think all is well. He has always been pretty sensitive and very compassionate when it comes to people or animals getting hurt and tends to think about it for a long time. I do think he could handle it but right now the timing is just too much (for both of us lol). Of course hubby wasn't too thrilled but I let him read some of your posts so now he kinda understands.