Son mourning my death, decades prematurely.
Backstory
He's five. Going through a very sad and morbid stage. He tears up every time he talks about his or my death. Never mind the other members of our family! I have had to go GOD on him. That helps, I think. (No disrespect to religious people who read this. I believe in God but have never been able to decide which church to go with, so we have only given him bits and pieces. Now we are saying grace every night and prayers at bedtime, and sporadic outbursts of prayers to keep us alive and healthy every day). It's like an evangelist has inhabited my five-year-old's body just so we don't die! Never mind going to hell. We haven't even broached that subject...talk about nightmares. by three-monkeys in Six-Word Memoirs on Nov 22, 2011 | 
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Comments
Mourningdove says,
That's sad! How old is he?marymc says,
I remember crying over my parents' death as a child....and 40 years later, they're still here.Contemplative says,
Heart wrenching. Grandma's worry was that she'd cry over the possibility of losing both her children before she died. Mom passed first, Uncle hanging in barely. It might be a double as my Grandfather passed away six months after my Mom. Grandma passed away 9/7/2011 so fortunately relieved from that additional burden.I don't have children and just hearing this breaks my heart. Reminds me of "What would I do without you?" perhaps in quest to realize that one day, no matter how many days or decades down the road, the inevitable will happen. At such a tender age, your reassurance to him is probably worth more than gold. My Mom's response would be a simple and genuine: "I love you." That answer seemed to assuage most my fears.
Real, daunting, and touching memoir!
MrsPremise says,
Mine went through this too...and at the same age. I think it's natural. They are just beginning to realize that there's a bigger picture and it's overwhelming.Bevvie says,
A sad reality that you are handling so well!ctgoods2 says,
nice job on the memoir and the sitch. Go mom!Knoxena says,
Yes, I think all kids go through this and it's harder on MOM then the kids. Its a type of separation anixety. Hang in.Your stories are great!
three-monkeys says,
Thank you for the comments and the support. It breaks my heart to think of any of us dying, so I can't imagine how overwhelming it is to him. I just remember that I felt so safe and secure at night because my mom would pray with us. It was the upside of having an overly religious mother! We won't go into the downsides.... ;PJujeebal says,
I remember going through this when I was a child it was difficult because nobody would talk to me about it. Good for you for doing your best to reassure and comfort him.soularcher says,
When I was five (or maybe even four) my grandpa died, so I didn't have to wonder about someone in my family dying... it was real before it even occured to me that it could happen. So I understand your kid, and, to be truthful, after my grandpa died I too was afraid of what happened after. I had trouble going to sleep some nights thinking about it. Poor kid.Touching memoir and great story. Congratulations on the feature!
three-monkeys says,
Your comments have helped me to remember that we've all gone through this as kids..thank you for sharing your memories! It's a heartbreaking phase, but I your words have reassured me that it will pass!CuriousAngel says,
Some kids go through that stage, moreso on this day and age because of all the bad things they see or hear about. But you're a good parent for letting him go through these emotions and being there for him. He's fine. :)starrynightangel says,
Make sure you teach him about heaven. This is just so sad.