
Most kids are aware of death. They probably don't understand it, but it's in their cartoons, video games, on their TV. They may have a friend who has lost a loved one and talked about it. Searching for advice? Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Like any girly girl, I love to find great deals on beautiful things and affordable luxury is what I've discovered with Quince. Like 100% Mongolian cashmere sweaters from 50 bucks, 14 karat gold jewelry and washable silk tops and dresses, which is really cool because then you save a lot on dry cleaning. Quince is about gorgeous accessories, jewelry, home goods and clothing priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. That's because Quince partners directly with top factories. They cut out the cost of middlemen, pass the savings onto you and me. They only work with factories that use safe, ethical, responsible manufacturing practices and premium fabrics and finishes. Give yourself the luxury you deserve with quince. Go to quince.comdoctor for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q U I N C E dot com doctor to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com doctor listen to all my episodes of Dr. Laura's deep dive in your favorite podcast app. Search for Dr. Laura's deep dive podcast and follow my deep dive today. Dr. Laura's deep dive deep dive dive.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Most kids are aware of death. They probably don't understand it, but it's in their cartoons, video games, on their TVs. They may have a friend who has lost a loved one and talked about it. Perhaps the death of a grandparent or the family pet has opened up a conversation that you're not quite sure how to handle. For Melanie's family, it was the tragic death of her brother that had all of the adults worried about what to say to his four year old daughter. Here's what I suggested. Melanie, welcome to the program.
Melanie
Hi Dr. Laura, I've been listening to you for 32 years and I never thought I would call, but here I am.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Oh my God.
Melanie
Forgive me. I got a call yesterday that my brother died in a motorcycle accident and I'm on my way where he lived right now. But I'm calling because he has a four year old little girl and we're really struggling with how to tell her in a way that she'll understand. Like I know we need to be honest and tell her the truth.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay. Melanie. Melanie.
Melanie
Yeah.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Nobody understands why a loved one had to die of any age. No one. Think you're forgetting that you don't understand it either. I just saw him. He's a nice guy. He's a family man. My brother. I love him. I don't understand why he had to die. That's Everybody. So don't make her unique because she's 4. Understand that in the beginning, in addition to nobody understands she's four and more doesn't understand. So you're not going to have an event with her when you get there that's going to have her understand and sort of be copacetic. It's not going to happen. There's going to be months of hysteria on and off, on and off and then it'll look like she's not thinking about it at all. And maybe she's not because she's young and getting on with her life also. And she's responding to her mom and everybody else and Aunt Melanie. So there's nothing brilliant. You're going to be able to say, take that off the plate. What you can do is a lot of hugging, a lot of holding and a lot of saying, this is so sad and we're all going to miss him so much and we loved him so much and mom, me and name people are all going to be here for you. So immediately she gets surrounded by. She hasn't lost her safety in the world. Because I'll be quite frank with you, kids at that age are mostly worried about themselves. They're not selfish, it's just that they're just in the beginning of their brain and attitudes and all of that developing. So the more you can reinforce, we're all going to be here for you. We're all going to be able to take you places, help you with school. You start talking about how she's going to be surrounded by support in a way that the kid understands that, okay, watch movies with you, read a book. But right now, and you're going to have to have this discussion like a dozen times over the months. This is not a one shot. Now what the hell happened on his motorcycle? What happened?
Melanie
The only thing we know is that he was headed home from work and he was going straight in one direction. A car was turning left and they collided. He hit the driver's side door and he died on the scene. That's all we know.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Most motorcycle accidents are close to home and they usually have to do with some moron making an inappropriate left hand turn.
Melanie
Yeah, Geez.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Just want to pinch their heads off.
Melanie
Yeah. So this is hitting our family really hard because of course his dad died the exact same way. So it's been on a motorcycle with.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
A left hand turner.
Melanie
Not left hand turner, but motorcycle. Yes. Died on the scene. Yes.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay. Wow, that's weird.
Melanie
Yeah. So it's, it's kind of a lot right now for us to take in. So I just wasn't sure if there was specific words I should use or anything.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Like a lot of love, a lot of hugging.
Melanie
Okay.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
A lot of, you know, caressing her hair as she goes to sleep. You know, just a lot of love.
Melanie
Okay, we can do that.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Of course you all can. And I'm so sorry, as a fellow biker.
Melanie
Yeah, yeah, we're. We're all motorcyclists. And when things like this happen, it certainly makes us not want to anymore.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Yeah, I understand that. Well, I'm in. I'm on a trike, so I have a little stability and I drive it like it's a car. So. Yeah. All right. I'm so sorry, but I hope you feel centered now, be able to handle this.
Melanie
I do. It definitely helps me put it into perspective and what we need to do on our end.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
And yes, it's okay to cry in front of her.
Melanie
Oh, yeah. There's no controlling that.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay, good.
Melanie
Yeah, I really, really appreciate your time and helping me through this.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Call me back anytime. Melanie. Very sad. You know, surprisingly, kids deal well with the truth, so it's good to talk about death honestly. Don't say things like, fluffy ran away or he's in a better place or worse, he went to sleep. That just makes your child afraid of bedtime. Answer their questions directly and in the briefest way possible. Keep it appropriate to their age. Don't volunteer too much. There's really no benefit to the child hearing the gruesome details about a death. For example, I don't believe kids need to know that someone died by suicide. It's sufficient to say something like so and so died. We don't have all the details, but we're all very sad about it. One immediate question you can expect is, are you going to die mommy or daddy? That's a reasonable childhood fear and one you should be prepared to answer. When I spoke to Robin, she needed a way to comfort her nine year old, who had come to realize that death can happen to anyone and at any time. Robin, welcome to the program.
Robin
Hi, Dr. Laura. Thanks for taking my call. My husband and I have three kids, 11, nine and five. And I'm calling you about my nine year old. The backstory is we have a family friend that was seemingly healthy and passed away unexpectedly while on vacation with his family. And since then, my 9 year old seems to be very bothered by this. Most notably, he, like, will come into our room, maybe like at 11:00 at night, crying, saying that he can't sleep. Thinking about it when we try to talk to him, like, what part about, you know, the death makes you upset? He says that he's afraid that it could happen to anybody in his family. So.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay, stop for a moment. Stop. Timeout. The answer at that very moment should have been, yes, it can. And that's why we focus on taking care of each other, loving each other, enjoying each other. Because you're right, it could happen at any time. You're right. His family didn't expect that to happen for them. It happened at any time. So that's exactly why it's so important to embrace your family and friends and do for them, care for them, bring joy to their lives, allow them to do the same for you. That's the answer to the entire problem. That's the main point in life.
Robin
I love it. That's. That is amazing. So wonderful. I will start telling him that today. Thank you so much.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Now, there's a book which happens to be my favorite book from my childhood, that addresses this, and I'd like you to read it out loud to him. Might take you a few nights. It's called Charlotte's Web.
Robin
Okay.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
It was made into a movie. But don't look at the movie. Read the book. And it has artistic pictures in the book, and he'll understand. But the most important thing is, yeah, we've got to live the life because we could lose it. You're right. So tell him his worst fear is true, and this is how human beings cope with that truth.
Robin
So good. Thank you so much. I so appreciate it. It makes so much sense.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Well, I'm glad, folks. You have to remember that children need to be proactive in order to cope. So it's one thing to do, sort of a psychological analysis. Well, what part of the person being dead upsets you and all that? That's only a little bit of the picture. The rest of the picture is, what do you give the child to do? Yes, your worst fear is truth. Oh, my God. Who wants to live knowing that gags could fall anytime? Well, how about we tell the kid? That is the point, is that whole circle of life. Remember that movie, the Lion King? But here we have the truth. That could happen at any time. So that's why it's important to let people know you care about them, to do things, with people, to care about people, to be conscious and compassionate about their lives. You know, give the kids something to do. Have to take a break now. I think it's a perfect time for you to think of some sweet memories. You have of that person you lost and then I'll be right back Dr.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Pay off devices early did you know that skin care can start in the laundry room? The Dr. Laura program is happy to be partnering with our sponsor All Free Clear Laundry Detergent. My peeps with kids are especially thrilled to use it because it's 100% free of dyes and perfumes. All Free Clear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended for sensitive skin by pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists. For a clean you can feel good about, all you need is All Free Clear Lilybug loves to explore the great outdoors while I'm here on the radio with you. I'm able to keep track of her whereabouts though, thanks to the Life360 Bluetooth tile. I clipped it onto her collar with a longer range, louder ring and new SOS button tiles can be attached to everyday things like bicycles, keys, soccer bags and even pets. Life 360 puts the real time location of the people and things you care about most in the palm of your hand. Link your life360 and tile accounts and you'll be able to see everyone and everything that matters in one place on your Life360 map. Whether you're keeping an eye on elderly parents or waiting for your teen to safely drive home, stay connected to all you love with Life360. Visit life360.com or download the app today. Use the code DrLaura to get 15% off. That's life360.com code DrLora like any girly girl, I love to find great deals on beautiful things and affordable luxury is what I've discovered with quints like 100% Mongolian cashmere sweaters from 50 bucks, 14 karat gold jewelry and washable silk tops and dresses. Which is really cool because then you save a lot on dry cleaning. Quince is about gorgeous accessories, jewelry, home goods and clothing priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. That's because Quince partners directly with top factories. They cut out the cost of middlemen, pass the savings on to you and me. They only work with factories that use safe, ethical, responsible manufacturing practices and and premium fabrics and finishes. Give yourself the luxury you deserve with quince. Go to quince.comdoctor for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N-C E.comdoctor to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quints.com doctor.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
When kids begin to worry about death, they need to be reassured that there's a constellation of people who will always take care of and love them. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, godparents. If you have them, it's worth sitting with them and saying, well, let's talk about dying. Where do you think we go? What do you think happens? Let kids talk through their feelings. You can try to keep it light with a little humor. Like asking when you're 220 years old and you die, what do you want people to remember you for? Take the subject, massage it out, ask questions. That's what I did when 9 year old James called me. Our conversation is a precious example of how adults can help children process through their thoughts. Adrienne, welcome to the program.
Melanie
Hi, Dr. Laura.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Hi.
Melanie
I'm here with my son James.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Oh, Hi, James.
James
Hey, Dr. Laura.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
How old are you, sir?
James
Nine. I've been listening to you for a long time.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Have you? What do you tell me one thing you've learned that you think was really cool from the show? Me.
James
Learning about other people's problems. And sometimes I have the same problems as them and then I learn about those problems.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Ah. And I have a feeling that dovetails with your call to me today. So how can I help you? What's happening?
James
Well, I feel like I'm worrying too much about. About stuff that I don't need to be worrying about.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
And why do you not need to worry about those things? Maybe they are important to worry about. What makes you think they're not?
James
Well, sometimes they're just basic things. Like? Like, like if my dad doesn't come home at dinner time, I'm like scared if I never see him again or something.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay, now I'm going to say I'm going to take a road here that's going to be a bit upsetting. You ready?
James
Yeah.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay. What if one day he doesn't come home, then what?
James
Well, I would be sad about that.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
You'd be sad? What else?
James
I'll be upset, I'll be frustrated. I'll be scared and. Scared, mostly.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay, you'd be scared that. What is going to happen if you.
James
Want to come home one day?
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
No, we already. I gave you a scenario. What if dad doesn't come home, had a terrible car accident, God forbid, and he's never coming home again, and now it's you and your mom. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
James
Yeah.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
And are you.
James
I have one brother.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Is he older? Younger?
James
No.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
I'm sorry, I didn't hear that.
James
I'm the younger one.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
You're the younger one. Okay. Yeah. So how would you help him, and how would you help your mother if your dad didn't come home again?
James
I would help my dad, but I would help my mother by doing some stuff that my dad does, like helping him do the dishes or something like that.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Right. And how would you help your brother?
James
I would help him do some of his homework or. Yeah?
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Yeah. Okay. Do you understand the. You're awfully smart. Nine years old. I'm really impressed. Okay, so what I'm pointing out to is these are scary things. Maybe someday dad won't come home. Maybe Mommy won't come home. Maybe your brother won't come home. Maybe, maybe, maybe. All these things are possibilities. So we can either go, oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God. Life is too scary. Everything bad happened. Or we could say, I sure hope that doesn't happen, but if it does, I know what to do. And when we know what to do, then we're no longer helpless and we have something we can control. It would be terribly sad, terribly upsetting, devastating, traumatic, if any of those things you worry about happened. But maybe someday one of them will. And what you need to do with your very smart brain, and this is not the first time somebody's told you you're really smart. What you need to do with your really smart brain is think ahead. Okay. I'm scared that dad might not come home and I would miss him terribly. I would cry, it would be terrible. And then I would help mom and I would help my brother, and they would help me and we'd survive. I need you to think about what would be the next step that you could control if something happened that you can't control.
James
I will. Well, I can't control. Well, I can't control. Not. Well, I guess I can. Well, I can't control making money or making the. Or paying for the bills, right?
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
No, that would be above your pay scale. That would be your mother's responsibility. And dad and mom would have insurance then that would help because they planned ahead just in case something bad happens. That's what adults do. That's what insurance is for. God forbid something bad should happen. At least we can eat and keep a roof over our heads.
James
So I. So what you're saying is I shouldn't be worrying about these things. My parents should.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Yes.
James
I understand.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
But you can be a huge support to everybody in the family because I'm sure you can think of something crappy that happened and upset your brother. I'm sure you've heard your parents talking and something crappy happened. You know, the chimney fell down off the house. I mean, you've heard that these things happen and you watch them figure out how to fix it. They do get upset, but then they figure out what to do, right?
James
Yes.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Good. I need you to start figuring out what to do with the stuff that scares you.
James
But yeah, I will.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
And sweetheart, you can call me anytime if you can't figure out how to take on one of the scary things. Just call me back and we'll talk about that one.
James
I will. Thank you.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Thank you. And my God, is he a smart young man? Wow. Boy. Cognitive abilities at nine. Very impressive. Sometimes when you're really smart, you're more aware of things too. So you have to learn how to cope with them. Understand that kids grieve differently from each other and from adults. Your child may go from crying one minute to playing and you may think either has no feelings or that the period of grief is over. It's neither. Playing is a way of defending against being overwhelmed by feelings they don't understand anyone. Grieving can move between feeling sad, guilty, anxious, even angry because that's a safer place to put confusing feelings. It's normal. Help them understand that what they're feeling is a normal part of the whole grieving process. You can borrow the broken leg analogy that I used in my conversation with 10 year old Mark, who called grieving the death of his youth pastor. Mom and Mark, welcome to the program.
James
Hi, Dr. Orr. Thank you for taking my call.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
You're welcome. Mark, how old are you?
James
I am 10 years old.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
What can I help you with?
James
So recently my pastor from Life Church, Pastor Danny, passed away and I've been experiencing grief and sadness with my mom and I'm wondering what to do.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay. If you fell down and broke your leg and they fixed it. But it hurts for a while. Would you call and ask me what to do about the fact that it hurts and you can't run around and play ball?
James
No.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
And the reason you would not ask me is you know that you simply have to tolerate it.
James
Yeah.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
The same thing with grief, sadness. You have to live with it for a while. And I'll tell you why. The reason you feel grief and the reason you feel sad is you liked him and you're gonna miss him. That's a beautiful thing. If you hated his guts, we wouldn't be on the phone. You wouldn't care. So the good news is that he has left very good memories and feelings with you. The bad news is that's what you got. The memories. You're not going to have them in the future, but you have the memories. So the process of understanding that is what we call grief. And it's a feeling you have to feel if you cared about him. It's normal, it's healthy, it's a very positive thing. And you just. Just like letting in the shower, just letting water cover you. And then eventually you turn the shower off, and eventually you won't feel this amount of pain, but you'll always have good memories. The pain will go away, the good memories will not. Isn't that good?
James
Yeah.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
So every time you feel a little more grief than you did 15 minutes ago, say, this is wonderful that I'm feeling grief because it means I cared about him and I miss him. It's a wonderful thing that I feel grief because I always will have good memories.
James
Yeah.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
You know, people who don't care about other people never have grief, but they never have good memories either.
James
I never knew that.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Yeah. So grief is the price we pay for the beautiful memories. So it's not a horrible thing at all. What do you think?
James
I think I agree.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Good. So embrace the grief. It's a beautiful thing.
James
All right.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
All right. Thanks for your call, sir.
James
Thank you.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
You're welcome. I love talking to kids. They listen more than adults do. May not listen in your house. When they call me, they listen. Have to take a break now, which gives you some time to think about how you can make today more valuable. I'll be right back.
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Melanie
Deeper.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Know that skin care can start in the laundry room? The Dr. Laura program is happy to be partnering with our sponsor All Free Clear Laundry Detergent. My peeps with kids are especially thrilled to use it because it's 100% free of dyes and perfumes. All Free Clear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended for sensitive skin by pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists. For a clean you can feel good about, all you need is All Free Clear. Lily Bug loves to explore the great outdoors while I'm here on the radio with you. I'm able to keep track of her whereabouts though, so thanks to the Life360 Bluetooth tile, I clipped it onto her collar with a longer range, louder ring and new sos. Button tiles can be attached to everyday things like bicycles, keys, soccer bags and even pets. Life360 puts the real time location of the people and things you care about most in the palm of your hand. Link your life360 and tile accounts and you'll be able to see everyone and everything that matters in one place on your Life 360 map. Whether you're keeping an eye on elderly parents or waiting for your teen to safely drive home, stay connected to all you love with Life360. Visit life360.com or download the app today. Use the code DRLAURA to get 15% off that's life360.com code DRLAURA I know you want to do the right thing for your kids. Have you thought about taking that extra step in doing good things for their financial future? Fabric by Gerber Life helps you plan for your family's financial security with term life insurance. Fabric has flexible, high quality policies that fit your family and your budget like a million dollars in coverage for less than a dollar a day and coverage could be offered instantly with no health exam. There's a 30 day money back guarantee and you can cancel at any time so there's no risk to apply. Fabric even offers free digital wills, access to investment accounts for your kids and more. All managed easily right from your phone. Join the thousands of parents who trust fabric to help protect their families. Apply today in just minutes@meetfabric.com DrLora that's M E-E-T meetfabric.com DrLaura Policies issued by Western Southern Life Assurance Company not available in certain states. Prices subject to underwriting and health questions.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Would be helpful to have some pictures around of your family member or pet so that when the child expresses negative thoughts about the death, you can look at the pictures together and talk about nice memories. Let your child know that we live forever in the thoughts and hearts of our friends and family. Your child is looking to you for direction, but don't worry about trying to appear strong. Showing your emotion reassures kids that feeling your feelings is okay. However, if you really aren't handling things well, it's good to get another parent, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, whoever to fill in for you to give that kid a little stability and calmness. And generally speaking, it's better to get them back into their routines as soon as you can. So get help with that if you need it. It's a parent's job to teach kids how to deal with the challenges of life, speak honestly and give information that's appropriate to their age. Help them deal with their concerns so they can build healthy coping skills and function well in life as adults. Let your child express emotion with no judgment. Help them understand that death is the reason we need to enjoy every moment we have. Worry and joy cannot occupy the same space at the same time, so help your children focus their thoughts on cherishing the people and creatures they love, and I'm always here to help. I particularly love talking to kids, so give me a call anytime at 1-800-DRSOR Laura, or go to drlaura.com to make an appointment for you and your child to speak with me. Now go do the right thing. If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course, I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform.
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Okay, we've got Katie's Project, Dan's Bake Sale. Emma has a test tomorrow.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Sweetie, I'm out of my blood pressure meds.
Mark
Managing the house while Mama's gone is not easy, but did you know that now Walmart Pharmacy has prescription delivery straight to your door.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Wait, what?
James
Really?
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Yep.
Mark
Just upload your prescription to the Walmart app and keep doing your thing. We'll bring your groceries and prescriptions all in one bag and straight to your door.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Thanks, dad.
James
When does mom come back? In 38 hours and 47 minutes.
Mark
Now your pharmacy comes to you. Welcome to your Walmart delivery. Not available for all prescriptions. Exclusions apply.
Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day – "Deep Dive: Talking to Kids About Death"
Episode Overview In this poignant episode of "Dr. Laura Call of the Day," renowned host Dr. Laura Schlessinger tackles the sensitive and often challenging topic of discussing death with children. Released on March 6, 2025, the episode provides compassionate guidance for parents seeking effective strategies to help their children understand and cope with loss. Through real-life calls from listeners, Dr. Laura offers practical advice infused with her trademark no-nonsense approach, emphasizing ethics, accountability, and personal responsibility.
Dr. Laura begins by addressing the general awareness children have about death, noting that while many kids encounter the concept through media or personal experiences, their understanding is often limited. She emphasizes the importance of honesty and age-appropriate communication when discussing death with children.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [01:27]: "Most kids are aware of death. They probably don't understand it, but it's in their cartoons, video games, on their TVs."
Caller: Melanie
Issue: Melanie grapples with explaining the sudden death of her brother to her four-year-old niece following a motorcycle accident.
Dr. Laura advises Melanie to focus on providing emotional support through affection and reassurance, rather than expecting immediate comprehension or consolation from the child.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [02:46]: "There's going to be months of hysteria on and off, on and off and then it'll look like she's not thinking about it at all."
Key Recommendations:
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [05:12]: "Most motorcycle accidents are close to home and they usually have to do with some moron making an inappropriate left-hand turn."
Caller: Robin
Issue: Robin's nine-year-old son is distressed by a family friend's unexpected death and fears it could happen to anyone in his family.
Dr. Laura encourages Robin to acknowledge the child's fears directly and to foster a supportive environment that emphasizes love and mutual care within the family.
Robin [09:51]: "I'm afraid that it could happen to anybody in his family."
Dr. Laura's Advice:
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [10:40]: "It's called Charlotte's Web. It has artistic pictures in the book, and he'll understand."
Caller: James
Issue: James expresses excessive worry about his father not coming home, fearing he might never see him again.
Dr. Laura engages James in a thoughtful dialogue to help him differentiate between worries within his control and those he cannot control. She empowers James by highlighting his role in supporting his family and managing his fears.
James [18:47]: "Well, sometimes they're just basic things. Like if my dad doesn't come home at dinner time, I'm like scared if I never see him again or something."
Dr. Laura's Guidance:
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [19:00]: "You have to learn how to cope with them. Understand that kids grieve differently from each other and from adults."
Caller: Mark
Issue: Mark is grieving the death of his youth pastor and seeks understanding on how to cope with his sadness.
Dr. Laura employs an analogy to help Mark comprehend grief, comparing it to a broken leg that heals over time. She emphasizes that grief is a natural response to loss and that cherishing memories is a healthy way to process emotions.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [25:24]: "So the process of understanding that is what we call grief. And it's a feeling you have to feel if you cared about him."
Key Takeaways for Mark:
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [27:09]: "Grief is the price we pay for the beautiful memories."
In concluding the episode, Dr. Laura synthesizes the insights shared through the calls, reiterating the importance of honest, age-appropriate conversations about death. She advocates for creating a supportive environment where children feel safe to express their emotions without judgment. Additionally, she underscores the role of parents and guardians in modeling healthy coping mechanisms and maintaining routines to provide stability.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger [32:21]: "It's a parent's job to teach kids how to deal with the challenges of life, speak honestly and give information that's appropriate to their age."
Final Advice:
Conclusion "Deep Dive: Talking to Kids About Death" offers invaluable guidance for parents navigating the delicate task of explaining loss to their children. Dr. Laura Schlessinger's compassionate and practical approach equips listeners with the tools to foster open dialogues, provide emotional support, and help children build resilience through understanding and coping with grief. This episode serves as a vital resource for families striving to manage sorrow while nurturing the emotional well-being of their young ones.