Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

2 / 23

“It’s been a month since Mommy died, stop your whining about it.”

“It’s been a month since Mommy died, stop your whining about it.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Most psychologists recommend at least 60 days before chastising your child for grieving.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

3 / 23

“The best part is seeing the light drain from their eyes.”

“The best part is seeing the light drain from their eyes.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Let children form their own opinions on the most satisfying part of killing a man.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

4 / 23

“Shut up and keep digging.”

“Shut up and keep digging.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

There are always a million distractions when there’s a death in the family, but it’s important to still make time for the child who’s helping you dig the hole.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

5 / 23

“Grandpa’s soul is in heaven now.”

“Grandpa’s soul is in heaven now.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

It may seem comforting, but if your child gets to heaven and doesn’t see Grandpa, they’ll have trust issues for the rest of their afterlife.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

6 / 23

“This opening sequence from Saving Private Ryan should answer most of your questions.”

“This opening sequence from Saving Private Ryan should answer most of your questions.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

If nothing else, it’ll pause the questions for a good 10 minutes.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

7 / 23

“Your mom is great in the sack.”

“Your mom is great in the sack.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Sure, they’ll immediately want to stop talking, but it doesn’t solve the death thing.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

8 / 23

“Here’s an Xbox!”

“Here’s an Xbox!”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Death = presents? Who’s next?

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

9 / 23

“This is exactly what happens when you don’t eat your vegetables.”

“This is exactly what happens when you don’t eat your vegetables.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

The FDA advises against using death to reinforce nutrition.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

10 / 23

“Avenge me.”

“Avenge me.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

That’s a lot of pressure to put on a kid. Instead, say, “Try to avenge me.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

11 / 23

“The insurance company did everything they could.”

“The insurance company did everything they could.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Experts say it’s better to just be honest with your kid.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

12 / 23

“Don’t worry, they make coffins in your size.”

“Don’t worry, they make coffins in your size.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Not the time to make your kids feel included.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

13 / 23

“When you die, your dog immediately forgets you.”

“When you die, your dog immediately forgets you.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Never tell a child that their beloved pup will simply attach itself to whoever starts feeding it next.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

14 / 23

“There are actually fates worse than death.”

“There are actually fates worse than death.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

You can’t ease a child’s anxiety by reminding them they could be imprisoned in their own bodies, alive and conscious but unable to move, see, hear, or speak.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

15 / 23

“Ghosts and zombies have to come from somewhere.”

“Ghosts and zombies have to come from somewhere.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

While good information, your child likely wasn’t asking about the origins of the kinds of monsters they have nightmares about.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

16 / 23

“Grandma’s in a much, much worse place now”

“Grandma’s in a much, much worse place now”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Actually, nobody’s ever said this to a kid before. Try it and let us know how it goes?

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

17 / 23

“You will die too, someday, whereas I will live forever.”

“You will die too, someday, whereas I will live forever.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Nobody likes a bragger.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

18 / 23

“Grandma’s not dead! She’s dancing!”

“Grandma’s not dead! She’s dancing!”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Talking about death is difficult but that’s no excuse for an elaborate series of wires and pulleys used to puppet your dead mother-in-law

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

19 / 23

“You call that a grave?”

“You call that a grave?”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Preparing a burial with your child can be a better bonding experience if you don’t critique their shoveling technique.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

20 / 23

“It’s like going to sleep but you just never wake up.”

“It’s like going to sleep but you just never wake up.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Way to turn bedtime into a fucking minefield.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

21 / 23

“They’re in a better place now, a permanent end to consciousness.”

“They’re in a better place now, a permanent end to consciousness.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

You’re supposed to name some fake place they go, like heaven.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

22 / 23

“You could be next.”

“You could be next.”

Image for article titled Things To Never Say When Explaining Death To A Child

Most children survive to adulthood. Say that instead.

Advertisement