Children and the Death of a Pet

Welcome to the July edition of Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival: Pets and children.

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival hosted by The Positive Parenting Connection and Authentic Parenting. This month our participants are sharing their thoughts and experiences with pets and children! Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

***

• Prepare your child (if there is time to do so) for the death of the pet. Help your child understand that your pet is old/sick/injured and that a time will soon come with your pet will no longer be able to live a happy life.
• Allow your child to say goodbye whether this is at home, at the vet’s office, or somewhere else. If your child wants to write a goodbye letter or draw a picture, by all means allow this to happen!
• Engage in any sort of “play” which is themed on the death of the pet. Try not to stifle a child’s natural urge to understand and process death through play.
• Answer questions honestly and age appropriately. A 2 year old can understand that “Spike is not coming home. He was sick and has passed away.” That child may not completely comprehend the permanence of death, but he or she will understand “not coming home.” A ten year old would be able to digest a deeper explanation.
• Ensure that your child does not think that he or she caused the death. This happens often!
• Encourage children to express their grief by drawing pictures of their pet, and sharing what the pictures mean to them.
• Make a scrapbook with photos as well as drawn pictures of the pet and family members. Write memories beneath or beside them.
• If a pet has been cremated, a special place can be arranged in the home for the urn as well as just a few pictures and mementos of the pet. Make sure that children are allowed to participate in the decision-making process of how this might look.
• If the ashes are to be scattered bring your child if you can. Perhaps even chose a place that was special to the both of them.
• If a pet is to be buried you might consider planting a living memorial, such as a tree or bush in memory of your pet. Allow your child to choose the plant and encourage frequent visits to the plant.

It’s Finally Here! An Ebook full of simple, gentle, nourishing recipes for your entire body. These 40 recipes all incorporate coconut oil, known for its holistic healing properties. 

 ***

Visit The Positive Parenting Connection and Authentic Parenting to find out how you can participate in the next Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• A Pet’s Role in the Home School — If a house isn’t a home without a pet, how can you imagine homeschooling without one? Erica at ChildOrganics discusses the many benefits of home schooling with pets. .
• Toddlers and Whiskers, Co-existing as One — Mama Duck at Quacks and Waddles explains how to introduce new pets to toddlers and babies
• Children and the Death of a Pet — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama offers suggestions on how to help children work through the loss of a pet. She includes a variety of books to support both parents and children during this tender time.
• 10 Reasons to Be a Foster Family for a Pet in Need — Christy from Adventures in Mommyhood: Mommy Outnumbered gives her top 10 reasons to consider fostering a pet until a forever home can be found.
• Preparing Dogs for New Baby — Jennifer from Mother of the Pack gives advice to new parents for preparing their dog(s) for a baby
• Children, Pets and Death — Lauren at Hobo Mama has walked with her son through the untimely death of their cat, a fascinating and troubling journey.
• The Health Benefits of Having Pets — Laura from Authentic Parenting tells us exactly why having pets is beneficial to your child’s health. 
• Romeo, My Healing Dog —  Bianca at the Pierogie Mama writes about her loveable old dog, Romeo, who at one point she had to give away but a few years later he was placed back in her life when she least expected it.

span style=”font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;”>Please visit Hybrid Rasta Mama for more natural parenting, real foods, and green living posts. You can also follow Hybrid Rasta Mama through various social networks including: FacebookTwitter
Pinterest
Stumbleupon
Google+