Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - How do I tell a 4 yr old her Hamster died?

**l_b_rex** · 11-12-2008, 06:27 AM

Hey guys!

My daughter's Hamster died on Sunday (not sure why), it just wouldn't wake up. My daughter was at her mom's house and will be back friday so I put the hamster in a ziploc bag and put it in the freezer and plan on burying it with her on friday. I have done much reading about this subject and it was said that it is best to answer any questions she asks with true answers. My worry is that if I tell her it fell asleep and didn't wake up that she will be afraid to go to sleep. A couple months back she asked me where my mom lives (she died 14 years ago), I told her that she lives far far away and that she was sick and died. She asked if I am going to die and if she will. I told her not for a very very long time would that ever happen but she doesn't understand time yet and asked her mom the same thing and was worried that we would die too.

We don't believe in lieing to her unless it is really necessary. The idea of this funeral for the hamster is for her to learn death is a part of life and for her to realise how real and permant death is. Her and her friends at daycare are in the stage where the "kill" and "die" words are used often.

Thanks for any advice or feel free to share your stories.

11-12-2008, 06:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
l_b_rex The almighty Dr.Tran! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,084 OS: Vista Home Premium 32 bit	How do I tell a 4 yr old her Hamster died? Hey guys! My daughter's Hamster died on Sunday (not sure why), it just wouldn't wake up. My daughter was at her mom's house and will be back friday so I put the hamster in a ziploc bag and put it in the freezer and plan on burying it with her on friday. I have done much reading about this subject and it was said that it is best to answer any questions she asks with true answers. My worry is that if I tell her it fell asleep and didn't wake up that she will be afraid to go to sleep. A couple months back she asked me where my mom lives (she died 14 years ago), I told her that she lives far far away and that she was sick and died. She asked if I am going to die and if she will. I told her not for a very very long time would that ever happen but she doesn't understand time yet and asked her mom the same thing and was worried that we would die too. We don't believe in lieing to her unless it is really necessary. The idea of this funeral for the hamster is for her to learn death is a part of life and for her to realise how real and permant death is. Her and her friends at daycare are in the stage where the "kill" and "die" words are used often. Thanks for any advice or feel free to share your stories.