Talking to kids about sudden, tragic death

In this “Maggie Moment”, one of Australia’s favourite parenting authors Maggie Dent talks about how to break it to children the very painful news that someone they know or love has died. Maggie talks about who is the best person to do this, and how to choose the right time and environment. Maggie also talks about how children may react, how much detail to give —— and why it’s important to actually talk about death, rather than using terms such as “passed over” or “gone to sleep” —— and how to prepare children for the sad time of grief that inevitably lies ahead.

As well as being a teacher and counsellor prior to becoming an author and educator, Maggie has worked in palliative care and the funeral industry, and as a funeral celebrant she conducted over 200 funerals.

Find more resources on grief and loss here.