Don't shut your children out of their grandmother's life because you believe that watching her become sicker and die would cause them too much pain. If they do ask if their grandmother will die, you may respond that she will die at some time because of this disease but that you do not know when that will be. Ask your children's librarian for books that address kids' dealing with a dying relative -- there are several excellent books that sensitively help kids cope with this difficult experience.
Preparing Children for a Grandparent's Death
Carleton Kendrick has been in private practice as a family therapist and has worked as a consultant for more than 20 years. He has conducted parenting seminars on topics ranging from how to discipline toddlers to how to stay connected with teenagers. Kendrick has appeared as an expert on national broadcast media such as CBS, Fox Television Network, Cable News Network, CNBC, PBS, and National Public Radio. In addition, he's been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, USA Today, Reader's Digest, BusinessWeek, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and many other publications.
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