The Circle of Life

[heyzeus]

'Zeus Jr. is really into dinosaurs, which has spilled over into a love of nature and plants and animals. We get tons of books from the library about ocean creatures and bugs and turtles and biology stuff. A lot of it is over his head still (4 years old) but he gets so much, and it's really rewarding to see his enthusiasm and knowledge on display.

But today, at his nature and science camp, his class was on a nature walk in the woods. And he made the unfortunate discovery of a dead baby coyote. It was already well into decomposition, smelled bad, and was covered in flies. He's pretty shake up now about death. As he said, "I've only ever seen dead bugs before." I think it's really bothering him to see something he loves - an animal - in that state.

We're doing our best to talk about the circle of life, and how animals die but it's ok. He's also starting to understand that we're going to die, too. He asked me what will happen when I die, and I didn't have an awesome answer.

[Jocephus]

but yeah, show him a disney cartoon. they're all about axing off the parents.

[Schlich]

I wasn't terrified of the ice cold grip of death until I was 7. Your kid's ahead of the curve!

[cardinalkarp]

I wasn't terrified of the ice cold grip of death until I was 7. Your kid's ahead of the curve!

I'm sorry, but I lol'd

[heyzeus]

I wasn't terrified of the ice cold grip of death until I was 7. Your kid's ahead of the curve!

My favorite moment was a month or so ago when he told his gramma that she was pretty old so she would probably die soon. Kids say the darndest things.

[The Third Man]

I think I cried on the stairs when I was like 5 or 6 upon realizing my own mortality. Fortunately I grew up to welcome death's cold embrace. He, too, shall come to welcome death as a lover.

[heyzeus]

I think I cried on the stairs when I was like 5 or 6 upon realizing my own mortality. Fortunately I grew up to welcome death's cold embrace. He, too, shall come to welcome death as a lover.

[Freed Roger]

My first remembrance myself was how the concept of Hell kind of threw me for a loop.

Zeus- I think your Jr might have similar curiousity with those types of questions as little Freedette had.

We had a dog die when she was little like 3ish. I can't remember if I addressed her questions completely. I think I went full-on Heaven -(now dog can run, eat, have fun etc etc in Heaven) , but that was mostly because she was super-young then, and it was a dog.

Unfortunately, we've had some deaths in the family since then. I try to be honest with her. I definitely think every ending is a new beginning of a sort for all creatures, and life goes on. She understands that it is complicated.

[wart57]

[stlouie_lipp]

I honestly can't remember when I fist learned of mortality. Don't sweat it, zeus, I'm sure he'll forget all about it and become a well adjusted member of society like his uncle lipp.

I love his bow tie dinosaur t-shirt in the other thread btw.