What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?

We had a guinea pig and when it did last year my daughters (age 7 %26amp; 10) were heartbroken . They still cry when they think about her. So when the hamster died I replaced it with another and didn't say a word. Now I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. I hate seeing the kids upset but on the other hand pets do die eventually.....What do you think?What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?I had a fish for 12 years . Well I don't think you're hurting anyone replacing the pet . No one wants to see heartbroken children . When they are old enough they will understand . They aren't 5 but they're still children .What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?
Death is an inevitable part of life, and dealing with the death of a pet will help your children to understand the finality of it when it unfortunately happens to a person they know. If you've hidden the truth of it away from them by replacing pets, etc, it's going to be a lot harder for them to cope with when it happens to someone that can't be replaced.



As hard as it is to see your kids upset, the truth is always the best approach.



EDIT: Just to add, I totally agree with everyone who said that you should keep the switch you already made under wraps - you can't help by telling them about it. Just maybe take a different approach in the future.What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?I find the best way is just to be completely honest with them. Just explain the facts, that the pet has died, it is a natural part of life. Replacing a pet with another and hoping they won't notice will only backfire - they are bound to realise that it is a different animal. They are 7 and 10 years old, well old enough to cope with it.



My son was 4 and a half when a family pet died. I was just open and honest about it, he was completely fine about the whole thing. He was upset, just as we all were, but being completely honest about it (and being completely honest about all the resulting questions) was the best way to go. I was exactly the same when my dad died shortly afterwards, I was completely honest with my son.



Honesty really is the best policy.What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?
I wouldn't go telling them about the switch now that it's a done deal, but from now on, IMO you should let them experience the death and loss, it's a time to teach them about life and death. Death is a part of life that hurts us all. Does it hurt less when grandpa dies because your mom let your hamster die when you were 7? of course not. but it helps them be familiar with the grieving process, and all the feelings that go with it (denial, despair, anger, (etc).... acceptance), so they know they can remember the loved one, but also move on.



that said, they have some experience. i don't at all think it hurt to pull a little switcharoo and save them from a little heartache:)What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?if you have already replaced the guinea pig with another, then i would say it is too late. Let it go and move on and dont mention this to them until they are adults.

If you have not yet introduced this new pet, then i would suggest you have a re-think and let the kids experience the life process. They need to learn to deal with the good emotions and the bad and this will train them for the future. They will learn the grieving emotions essential to us and you will be helping them through it.
I agree with the above that they are old enough to be told the truth. But please don't tell them what you did now. Once you made the switch, it was immediately too late to go back. It will surely throw them for a loop and mess with their emotions if they find out that their "real" pet has been gone all this time and they have been loving an "impostor." And don't worry about having done the "wrong" thing. You were trying to spare your girls grief, and that is a noble sentiment.What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?
use it as a teaching experience about the cycle of life. if you teach them about how to cope with grief now they will have it for later as well. i was taught about death young, that people died and it was ok to be sad, to grieve for what was lost but also to know that it is not the end, that life goes on.
i think that at those ages by now they should be ready to handle something like a pets death IMO, it is part of life, but if they were any younger i would have done the same thing, just got a new one. lol no reason to break there hearts. good luck.What do you think is the best way to deal with a pets death when kids are involved?
Immediately replace the pet, but let your daughters know that one crossed the rainbow bridge, so his friend came to live with your daughters instead.
It's best to tell them the truth. Death is a natural/normal part of life, although sad. They will gain more from experiencing the grief now.
I think you are very sensible and honest. Sometimes a small White Lie is for the best. I wouldn't tell your children you fibbed this time,because it was for the best intentions
o please, just tell them to get over the fraking pic