Another Post About 9/11 (Talking to Your Kids About Death)

Source: http://www.coforse.com/?tag=world-trade-center

Ten years ago I was at work when the towers went down. We huddled around the television in the conference room, work all but forgotten. My doctor's office called to reschedule my appointment because the doctor was too upset and had gone home.

The 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks have generated lots of news coverage, bringing the topic of death up and front and center around here. Even more personal, my deteriorating health condition has recently prompted my kids to ask if I'm dying. (For the record, my condition is serious, but I'm not planning on going anywhere for a while).

At any rate, professionals seem to agree that when death for a loved one is imminent, or your kids are just at that age where they start to ask about dying, the best thing to do is talk. Keep it age appropriate, use clear terms (no "going to sleep" or "God called them to Heaven"), and reassure them about the practical stuff. Let them ask questions, and admit when you don't have the answers.

The following websites have some great information to help you with your conversations.

http://www.parenting-ed.org/handout3/General%20Parenting%20Information/death.htm

http://www.hospicenet.org/html/parent.html

http://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/Emotional+Health/Talking+with+Children+and+Youth.aspx

http://www.helpstartshere.org/health-and-wellness/living-with-illness-tip-sheet-talking-with-children-about-a-parents-serious-illness.html

Related articles

• In post-9/11 America, no one is untouched (cnn.com)
• The New Grief: How Modern Medicine Has Transformed Death... (psychcentral.com)