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

Tumbleweed36 · 11-12-2008, 01:23 PM

All very good advice and both approaches are great. I can't find fault with any of the suggestions you have received.

My way would be to (been there with a dog or two when kids were young) keep it rather simple and then say "O.K., now we have to go pick out another hampster and since it will be yours, you need to pick it out." Put her in the car with you and go Hampster shopping right after you have explained the realities of life and death. She will focus on the new hampster and tend to diminish the thought of the dead hampster. There is no way to diminish death to a child, unless it is life. The new hampster represents life and when she must be responsible for the new one, it will take her attention to the new one. Diversion with a child works most of the time.

11-12-2008, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: How do I tell a 4 yr old her Hamster died? All very good advice and both approaches are great. I can't find fault with any of the suggestions you have received. My way would be to (been there with a dog or two when kids were young) keep it rather simple and then say "O.K., now we have to go pick out another hampster and since it will be yours, you need to pick it out." Put her in the car with you and go Hampster shopping right after you have explained the realities of life and death. She will focus on the new hampster and tend to diminish the thought of the dead hampster. There is no way to diminish death to a child, unless it is life. The new hampster represents life and when she must be responsible for the new one, it will take her attention to the new one. Diversion with a child works most of the time. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 11-12-2008 at 01:25 PM.