{"title":"Helping Your Child Cope With Pet Loss","description":"\u003ch1\u003eHelping Your Child Cope with Pet Loss\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Helping Your Child Cope with Pet Loss\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/9819\/6355\/files\/pet-cat-girl.jpg?v=1772727462\" style=\"float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;\"\u003eMy first cat died when I was five years old.  It's a hazy memory, to be \nhonest:  I don't recall all of the details, but I  still remember how \nsad I felt and how difficult it was to accept that Bob (I  named him \nmyself) wasn't coming home from the vet's office.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\tThis is what I understood:   Bob was sick,\n and he went to the doctor to get better.  He had to have an operation. \n I had recently been to the emergency room for  stitches after a nasty \nplayground fall, so I understood about doctors and  hospitals.  But \nnothing had prepared me  for the possibility that Bob wouldn't return.  \n My father was the one to tell me.   He was honest.  He told me that  \nBob was a really sick cat, and the vet had done everything he could, but\n he  just couldn't make my cat well again.  He  told me that Bob was \ndead, and that now he wouldn't be sick anymore. He also told me that it \nwas okay to be sad;  he was sad, too.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\tAnd I \u003cem\u003ewas\u003c\/em\u003e sad.  I cried. I was \nangry. I ran to my room and shut the door.  I said that I  never wanted \nanother cat as long as I lived.   I meant it, too.  A part of me felt \nlike Bob would come back:  I knew he was dead, but what was dead, \nexactly?  I  asked a lot of questions that probably made my parents \nuncomfortable, but they  did their best to answer anyway.  It took  a \nwhile, but I eventually accepted Bob's death.   A year or so later, I \nasked my Dad if we could maybe get another cat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHonesty is the Best Policy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\tFor a child, the loss of a pet is \nespecially difficult.  Our childhood pets are our faithful  companions, \nour trusted friends, and our partners in mischief.  Losing a pet is \noften a child's first  experience with death it can be a sad, \nconfusing, and scary.  If your family has recently lost a pet, or if  \nyou are anticipating  the loss of a pet that is old or sick, it's a \ngood idea to get  ready for a realistic discussion with your child:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBe honest\u003c\/strong\u003e - Nobody \nwants to see their  child upset, but you should resist the urge to lie \nabout your pet's situation  for the sake of your child's feelings.  Have\n  an age-appropriate conversation with your child about death, and \nanswer all of  her questions as truthfully as you can.   It's never a \ngood idea to tell your child that her pet ran away this  can lead to \nfeelings of abandonment, and she may spend weeks or months waiting  for \nher pet to return.\n\t\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid euphemisms\u003c\/strong\u003e - \nDon't tell your child  that her pet has been put to sleep.  This may \nsound comforting, but it can actually be confusing, especially  to a \nyounger child who may expect her pet to simply wake up.  Some children \nmay even develop a fear of  going to sleep and not waking up again.   \nIt's okay to use words like death and dying.\n\t\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTell your child's teachers and care givers \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\t- Your child may  become withdrawn or depressed after the death of a \nfamily pet; younger children  may act out at school.  Make sure that  \nyour child's teachers or day care center know what's going on at home \nthey can be an extra source of support for your child.\n\t\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBe a role model\u003c\/strong\u003e - \nShare your feelings about the  death of your family pet, and let your \nchild know that it's okay to be sad or  cry.  It's important for your \nchild to  know that there's nothing wrong with grieving for a lost pet.\n\t\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHave a memorial service\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\t- A memorial of some  kind helps bring a sense of closure after the \ndeath of a pet.  You can hold a funeral for your pet, or you  can do \nsomething else to celebrate your pet's memory:  Plant a tree, make a \ncollage of photographs,  or talk about your favorite memories.   Involve\n your child in the plans.\n\t\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\tDeath is a natural part of life.  It's not\n easy watching your child grieve, but the best thing a parent can do is \nbe supportive and honest.  Don't be afraid to discuss your pet's death, \nand don't be afraid to tell the truth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.everlifememorials.com\/collections\/helping-your-child-cope-with-pet-loss.oembed","provider":"Everlife Memorials","version":"1.0","type":"link"}