How do you explain death to 2 yr old?

[singsong]

I had to have our cat put down the other day because he was very poorly. Now my ds (just turned 2) keeps asking where he's gone and looking for him. What should I tell him?

[aDAdOnMumsnet]

I've been worrying about this one too, so will listen with interest to any answers.

I'm sorry about your cat singsong .

[Twiglett]

"Cat's dead wanna biscuit?"

honestly at this age and a few years past they take it in their stride .. be matter of fact about it and it will be easily accepted .. it is after all ... the ci-ircle of li-ife!

if you need an actual way to explain death to an older child (3 or 4) I've got a cracking one .. will go and copy it over because I've shared it before

[Twiglett]

here

By Twiglett on Fri 21-Jul-06 20:48 I put a hand in a glove (well in a sock cos I couldn't find a glove)

I said to DS .. "this is you .. the glove is your body" (wiggling fingers all around), "but the hand is the bit that is really you and some people call that

[Twiglett]

oops .. that didn't work .. hang on a tic

[Twiglett]

By Twiglett on Fri 21-Jul-06 20:48 I put a hand in a glove (well in a sock cos I couldn't find a glove)

I said to DS .. "this is you .. the glove is your body" (wiggling fingers all around), "but the hand is the bit that is really you and some people call that your soul or your spirit" (keep on wiggling)

"when you die your spirit goes on" (gently take hand out of glove and make it keep wiggling and swooping around .. tickling him works too as you gently lay the glove down on the ground)