How to explain death to a 2 yr old.

Re: How to explain death to a 2 yr old.

• foreverapartofme member

  January 2014

  I'm so sorry for your loss.  I think at this age, your LO won't understand.  I've read you're supposed to tell children just facts such as this person's body stopped working because they were old and sick.  Honestly, I haven't been in your shoes so I am not entirely sure what the best approach is for your family and situation.  I will say some prayers for your family. 

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• JENandJEH member

  January 2014

  There is actually a Sesame Street episode dealing with death...when DH's grandfather passed away (DS1 was 2), the funeral home included a copy of the DVD in the packet they gave to the family.  I know that we told DS1 that PaPa had gotten very sick and his body stopped working.  DS1 was familiar with Jesus at that age so we told him that PaPa had gone to live with Jesus and that we couldn't visit him or see him anymore but that Jesus had made him all better and he was happy.  He was happy with that answer and asked to see PaPa a few times but we just kept explaining it in the same way.  

  
  

  I'm sorry for your loss.   

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• aurora1974 member

  January 2014

  I'm so sorry for your loss. 

  You can check with your pedi on age appropriate ways to handle this.  My grandmother passed away when DD1 was 2 and she gave us some good age appropriate books to get for her.  She still didn't really understand but it gave us a reference whenever she asked for Grandma.  Just know that your LO will probably ask for this person many times and when you least expect it. At least in my experience that's what happened.  It's also ok to let your LO see you cry, just explain that it makes you sad but you are ok.  

  

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• ChristineBaker23 member

  January 2014

  JENandJEH said:

  There is actually a Sesame Street episode dealing with death...when DH's grandfather passed away (DS1 was 2), the funeral home included a copy of the DVD in the packet they gave to the family.  I know that we told DS1 that PaPa had gotten very sick and his body stopped working.  DS1 was familiar with Jesus at that age so we told him that PaPa had gone to live with Jesus and that we couldn't visit him or see him anymore but that Jesus had made him all better and he was happy.  He was happy with that answer and asked to see PaPa a few times but we just kept explaining it in the same way.  

  
  

  I'm sorry for your loss.   

  Is this an episode? If so could you give me the season/episode. Or if it's a movie do you remember the title?
  
  

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• JENandJEH member

  January 2014 edited January 2014

  It is not an episode that would air in their normal lineup, it's a special show that they released.  I'm having a hard time finding a place where you can purchase the DVD but here is the webpage that talks about it:  https://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/topics/grief

  
  

  
  

  
  

  This looks like a link to view the episode via Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/When-Families-Grieve-Elmos-Uncle/dp/B004614K1Y

  
  

  It's about Elmo and how he copes with the death of his Uncle Jack.  

  
  

  
  

  Edited for clarity.  

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• sschwege member

  January 2014

  I am so sorry for your loss.

  
  

  We have not had to deal with this yet.  But I know we will eventually so I bought DD a book called, "God Gave Us Heaven".  I like it because it answers a lot of questions kids might have while still being age appropriate.  As the title suggests it is heavily faith orientated so wouldn't be appropriate for all situations.  

  
  
  
  
  
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