Great Answers to Difficult Questions about Death: What Children Need to Know

by Linda Goldman

Death is never an easy subject for discussion and adults often struggle to find the right words when talking about it with children. This book explores children's thoughts and feelings on the subject of death and provides parents and other caring adults with guidance on how to respond to difficult questions. The author explores some of the most common questions children ask about death and provides sensitive yet candid answers, phrased in a way that children will be able to understand and relate to. Each chapter is devoted to a particular issue, such as religious beliefs, coming to terms with terminal illness, and the fear of forgetting someone when they are gone. The book recognizes the emotions and reactions of children and family members and includes separate conclusions for parents and children. This guide offers useful advice for parents and carers and will also be of interest to counsellors and other professionals working with children.

Genres: Parenting, Psychology

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jill Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Goldman's new book, "Great Answers to Difficult Questions about Death" is a slim book; 110 pages of text. But since no one wants to page through a lengthy book when talking to a child about death - of others or of themselves - the size of the book is much easier to handle. Death is often a taboo subject and that relates especially to children. It's only been in the last 30 or 40 years that children's thoughts, dreams, and reactions to a loved one's death have been talked about. I know several friends whose siblings died when they were young and they were given no "grief therapy" to help them deal with the deaths.

Goldman's main point is that discussions of death, the afterlife, and a child's recognition of his/her own part in mourning must be age appropriate. You wouldn't use the same words and terms when discussing death with a six year old that you would with an eleven year old. She gives made-up dialogue, using questions-and-answers, to show some of the fears and questions children have about death. Her book is a good resource today for parents and loved ones to face the realities of death. The only problem with Goldman's book is that it is marketed as something for parents and other relatives to use when discussing death with children but it is written often with examples that show a therapist talking to a child. The non-therapist must make the verbal changes in language when using some of Goldman's wording.

That's why I'm giving the book four stars instead of the five I would have given it had it been written solely with the parent/loved one wording to use when talking to a child.

[Karen Force · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good ways to deal with many scenarios. Actual scenarios / people, all children in her practice. I found it very helpful in how I answer questions / will answer questions that may come up. I really liked how she gave different responses for different age groups - very simple and straightforward with younger children, getting more in depth as they aged and revisited subjects. With our aging family members I thought I'd better get prepared and am grateful I found this book. I would recommend to all parents.