You should tell them the way we hope you were told – clearly, concisely, and with extra time taken together to talk about any emotions you or they may be feeling.
- Brief is better, and plain facts are best.
- You may be tempted to try to protect your loved ones, especially if you’re having to tell your children or grandchildren. Resist this temptation. You cannot protect them from what’s happening, and you can’t stop them from feeling difficult emotions.
- Once the plain facts are out in the open, they’re easier to cope with. Hiding things lets your loved ones’ imaginations run wild, and usually makes things seem scarier than they are.
- These guidelines even apply if you’re talking to very young children. Just tell them the plain facts and answer any questions they ask clearly and with complete honesty.
- Children only ask questions they need to have answered, and they have a surprising capacity to know what they need to know. Give their questions the respect they deserve. Answer them simply and honestly.
