How do You tell Your children that You're dying? ( Archived) (29)

Aug 23, 2013 11:54 PM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
justjim63
justjim63justjim63port macquarie, New South Wales Australia14 Threads 2,592 Posts
After a recent "scare" I've been thinking about the ramifications that my death would have on my kids, and in particular how to tell them that i'm going to die?
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Aug 24, 2013 12:00 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
kidatheart
kidatheartkidatheartFruitvale, British Columbia Canada30 Threads 16,544 Posts
justjim63: After a recent "scare" I've been thinking about the ramifications that my death would have on my kids, and in particular how to tell them that i'm going to die?


You just do it, let them know, if in fact you are dying.

My mother didn't have to tell me, I was there when her oncologist told her. I was there from the very beginning, right to the very end, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Why worry about telling them, they'll either be there for you, or they won't. Still, they do deserve to know.
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Aug 24, 2013 12:16 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
happy369
happy369happy369Onehorsetown, Indonesia979 Posts
justjim63: After a recent "scare" I've been thinking about the ramifications that my death would have on my kids, and in particular how to tell them that i'm going to die?
there would be lots of crying and anger, but in the end it prepares them, most people never get a chance to say their final farewells
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Aug 24, 2013 12:21 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
kidatheart
kidatheartkidatheartFruitvale, British Columbia Canada30 Threads 16,544 Posts
happy369: there would be lots of crying and anger, but in the end it prepares them, most people never get a chance to say their final farewells


You're right, many never do, and I have a lot of people I cared about that just died. Some went in an instant, some dragged it on and never said anything to anyone, just disappeared off the face of the Earth, literally.

It's a part of life, and regardless of your "beliefs", you should let friends and family know if you're ill, or worse.

hug
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Aug 24, 2013 12:27 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
happy369
happy369happy369Onehorsetown, Indonesia979 Posts
kidatheart: You're right, many never do, and I have a lot of people I cared about that just died. Some went in an instant, some dragged it on and never said anything to anyone, just disappeared off the face of the Earth, literally.

It's a part of life, and regardless of your "beliefs", you should let friends and family know if you're ill, or worse.
yes.. my cousin died last year, she was 26, i still cant believe it, she was ill but we didnt think she was that bad, her kidneys failed, she was only 26sad flower
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Aug 24, 2013 12:43 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
kidatheart
kidatheartkidatheartFruitvale, British Columbia Canada30 Threads 16,544 Posts
happy369: yes.. my cousin died last year, she was 26, i still cant believe it, she was ill but we didnt think she was that bad, her kidneys failed, she was only 26


hug

There are no age limits, most of my friends and the people I've been close to are dead, regardless of their age. Some were quite young, some lived to a ripe old age, but it still isn't easy when they go.
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Aug 24, 2013 1:00 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
justjim63
justjim63justjim63port macquarie, New South Wales Australia14 Threads 2,592 Posts
kidatheart: There are no age limits, most of my friends and the people I've been close to are dead, regardless of their age. Some were quite young, some lived to a ripe old age, but it still isn't easy when they go.


Thanks for Your input guys, My doc thought I might have had motor neurone disease ( Lou Gherigs I think it is in the states?) I saw a neurologist and he dismissed that idea and thinks it's a nerve compression in my cervical spine. But it put the wind up me for a while! the reason for my post is that my kids are pretty young, aged 19, 15, and 7, It would probably be easier to explain to my older kids but i'm afraid my little girl would be devastated as we're extremely close.wine handshake
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Aug 24, 2013 1:30 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
jono7
jono7jono7Out West, British Columbia Canada3 Threads 8,017 Posts
justjim63: Thanks for Your input guys, My doc thought I might have had motor neurone disease ( Lou Gherigs I think it is in the states?) I saw a neurologist and he dismissed that idea and thinks it's a nerve compression in my cervical spine. But it put the wind up me for a while! the reason for my post is that my kids are pretty young, aged 19, 15, and 7, It would probably be easier to explain to my older kids but i'm afraid my little girl would be devastated as we're extremely close.



hiya wave jjim

pretty scary stuff..hope you're ok.
(my friend died just over two years ago...had Lou Gherigs)
glad to hear that's been dismissed.

many years ago, i had cancer and had to have some surgery.
i was really frightened, but i didn't tell my son.
a couple days after surgery ( i would be there longer), i woke up around 3:00 am in my hospital bed, and....
there was my son sitting on the end of the bed.
he looked so worried, so sad, and a bit angry as well.
he said, "mom, why didn't you tell me?
me: i didn't know how and i didn't want you to worry.
him: mom, did you need time to get used to the idea you had cancer?
me: yes ( i had know for months as i awaited surgery)
him: why didn't you think i would need some time too? i know you love me, but i thought you respected me more than to keep it a secret.
he felt very hurt by my choice to not tell him.
that always stuck with me.

couple years ago i had surgery again, and it was serious, and there were no guarantees about how i would come out of surgery.

this time i told my son as soon as i knew, so we could talk about it.
when i woke up the morning after this surgery, i saw my son sitting in a chair beside my bed. he was calm, concerned, but relieved to see me wake up and recognize him.
it was soooo much better than that previous time...i really believe that if one is certain of a serious medical condition, it's best to tell your kids. i believe it's an act of love to help them prepare.

sorry this post was so long



wine
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Aug 24, 2013 1:37 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
kidatheart
kidatheartkidatheartFruitvale, British Columbia Canada30 Threads 16,544 Posts
jono7: hiya jjim

pretty scary stuff..hope you're ok.
(my friend died just over two years ago...had Lou Gherigs)
glad to hear that's been dismissed.

many years ago, i had cancer and had to have some surgery.
i was really frightened, but i didn't tell my son.
a couple days after surgery ( i would be there longer), i woke up around 3:00 am in my hospital bed, and....
there was my son sitting on the end of the bed.
he looked so worried, so sad, and a bit angry as well.
he said, "mom, why didn't you tell me?
me: i didn't know how and i didn't want you to worry.
him: mom, did you need time to get used to the idea you had cancer?
me: yes ( i had know for months as i awaited surgery)
him: why didn't you think i would need some time too? i know you love me, but i thought you respected me more than to keep it a secret.
he felt very hurt by my choice to not tell him.
that always stuck with me.

couple years ago i had surgery again, and it was serious, and there were no guarantees about how i would come out of surgery.

this time i told my son as soon as i knew, so we could talk about it.
when i woke up the morning after this surgery, i saw my son sitting in a chair beside my bed. he was calm, concerned, but relieved to see me wake up and recognize him.
it was soooo much better than that previous time...i really believe that if one is certain of a serious medical condition, it's best to tell your kids. i believe it's an act of love to help them prepare.

sorry this post was so long



hug

Make it two posts next time. laugh
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Aug 24, 2013 1:41 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
slickmouse69
slickmouse69slickmouse69Edinburgh, Central, Scotland UK37 Posts
Gather everyone round sit them down and ask them what Christmas presents they want and when they tell you say

"AH well that could be a problem....."
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Aug 24, 2013 1:47 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
jono7
jono7jono7Out West, British Columbia Canada3 Threads 8,017 Posts
kidatheart: Make it two posts next time.
tongue

laugh hug
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Aug 24, 2013 3:01 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
rebel2
rebel2rebel2Alicante, Valencia Spain8 Threads 6,354 Posts
A scenario i am sure most people would dread.
Also,having a child that you know wouldnt be concerned at all is hurtful.
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Aug 24, 2013 3:17 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
chris27292729
chris27292729chris27292729IOS island, South Aegean Greece93 Threads 15,811 Posts
Before you tell them,Doctors would have told them, "you dad's health no good"". By the way to yourwine health.-
justjim63: After a recent "scare" I've been thinking about the ramifications that my death would have on my kids, and in particular how to tell them that i'm going to die?
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Aug 24, 2013 3:20 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
chris27292729
chris27292729chris27292729IOS island, South Aegean Greece93 Threads 15,811 Posts
rebel2:
Also,having a child that you know wouldnt be concerned at all is hurtful.
Depends,on the family closeness. me thinks.
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Aug 24, 2013 3:30 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
virgosingle
virgosinglevirgosinglegreymouth, West Coast New Zealand10 Threads 347 Posts
tell them the truth that you are die-ing , and when you do die tell them you will be burried underground and that will be the end ....

my mother thought I was to young at 4 years old to understand about death so she lied , I can still remember all her lies to this day wave
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Aug 24, 2013 3:37 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
Witchaywoman
WitchaywomanWitchaywomanCarpentersville, Illinois USA97 Threads 13 Polls 4,344 Posts
My mom didn't level with us. She was in denial. A doctor leveled with her. She refused to believe him and insisted on coming home. Then she took a lot of pills trying to hide the symptoms. Ten she went into another hospital. They were going to put her in a coma to stabilize her heart. Instead she died. She never actually admitted anything to me, but I had my suspicions anyway. I don't think it would have mattered if she had told us or not. What would have made a difference is if she went to the doctor when she started getting sick.
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Aug 24, 2013 9:45 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
joyaepace
joyaepacejoyaepaceGalway, Ireland11 Threads 2 Polls 958 Posts
jono7: hiya jjim

pretty scary stuff..hope you're ok.
(my friend died just over two years ago...had Lou Gherigs)
glad to hear that's been dismissed.

many years ago, i had cancer and had to have some surgery.
i was really frightened, but i didn't tell my son.
a couple days after surgery ( i would be there longer), i woke up around 3:00 am in my hospital bed, and....
there was my son sitting on the end of the bed.
he looked so worried, so sad, and a bit angry as well.
he said, "mom, why didn't you tell me?
me: i didn't know how and i didn't want you to worry.
him: mom, did you need time to get used to the idea you had cancer?
me: yes ( i had know for months as i awaited surgery)
him: why didn't you think i would need some time too? i know you love me, but i thought you respected me more than to keep it a secret.
he felt very hurt by my choice to not tell him.
that always stuck with me.

couple years ago i had surgery again, and it was serious, and there were no guarantees about how i would come out of surgery.

this time i told my son as soon as i knew, so we could talk about it.
when i woke up the morning after this surgery, i saw my son sitting in a chair beside my bed. he was calm, concerned, but relieved to see me wake up and recognize him.
it was soooo much better than that previous time...i really believe that if one is certain of a serious medical condition, it's best to tell your kids. i believe it's an act of love to help them prepare.

sorry this post was so long


I would tell my relatives only when it could be no longer concealed. Whatever they may say, long worry is worse than short worry.
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Aug 24, 2013 9:58 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
Ccincy
CcincyCcincyCincinnati, Ohio USA77 Threads 20,535 Posts
When my mother was dying she never told me or let on that she knew.She did go to a doctor only once but never told me the results of that visit.


Just gather them together and just tell them.
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Aug 24, 2013 10:49 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
justjim63
justjim63justjim63port macquarie, New South Wales Australia14 Threads 2,592 Posts
jono7: hiya jjim

pretty scary stuff..hope you're ok.
(my friend died just over two years ago...had Lou Gherigs)
glad to hear that's been dismissed.

many years ago, i had cancer and had to have some surgery.
i was really frightened, but i didn't tell my son.
a couple days after surgery ( i would be there longer), i woke up around 3:00 am in my hospital bed, and....
there was my son sitting on the end of the bed.
he looked so worried, so sad, and a bit angry as well.
he said, "mom, why didn't you tell me?
me: i didn't know how and i didn't want you to worry.
him: mom, did you need time to get used to the idea you had cancer?
me: yes ( i had know for months as i awaited surgery)
him: why didn't you think i would need some time too? i know you love me, but i thought you respected me more than to keep it a secret.
he felt very hurt by my choice to not tell him.
that always stuck with me.

couple years ago i had surgery again, and it was serious, and there were no guarantees about how i would come out of surgery.

this time i told my son as soon as i knew, so we could talk about it.
when i woke up the morning after this surgery, i saw my son sitting in a chair beside my bed. he was calm, concerned, but relieved to see me wake up and recognize him.
it was soooo much better than that previous time...i really believe that if one is certain of a serious medical condition, it's best to tell your kids. i believe it's an act of love to help them prepare.

sorry this post was so long


Thankyou for sharing such a personal and touching story with us Jono,You've shown great courage and wisdom when faced with some terrible situations,I'm glad You're well now and I hope I could deal with such a difficult situation with the grace that You have shown, once again, thankyou. wine hug
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Aug 25, 2013 8:18 AM CST How do You tell Your children that You're dying?
lalasierra
lalasierralalasierralos angeles, California USA147 Threads 67 Polls 935 Posts
justjim63: After a recent "scare" I've been thinking about the ramifications that my death would have on my kids, and in particular how to tell them that i'm going to die?


This would be a very difficult conversation to have with the kids, their age would make a difference also.

I Think being honest and forthcoming. I don't think there is another way. Of course you will tell the bad news as lovingly (I'm not sure if that is the correct word I'm looking for) as possible.

Or there may be some people who wouldn't disclose the bad news at all and just pass away one day.

I would have a heart-filled conversation and make them aware of what to expect.

I'm glad to hear that it was just a scare you had.

bouquet
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