TuscMoms.com

This is an interesting question. I'm not sure how I feel.
Should children attend funerals? What do you think? Has anyone taken their child to a funeral? If so, how did they react?

http://micheleborba.ivillage.com/parenting/archives/200...s%7CMSNBC_Today_Main

I'd say it would depend on the child. My children have had grandparents (and an uncle) pass away when the kids were preschool age and young teens. When they were little, they didn't know much about what was going on, so it didn't make much difference. Recently, with the passing of a grandfather, they understood that he was quite elderly and had been sick for a while. His passing was sad but they were prepared and knew that it was a relief for him to be out of his suffering.

My parents always took me to funerals even as a young child, and I'm very glad they did. Early on it helped me to realize that we should treasure those we love because there is a beginning and end for all of us. I now take my daughter with me to funerals of people she knows, and even as early as 3 and 4 year old we had those discussions. She knew that these people were important enough to her mom and dad for them to pay their respects by not only them being there but her also. I had a grown up friend who went with me to a co-worker's family funeral, and she freaked out the entire time about every particular thing that was said and done because her family had never taken her to a funeral. I told myself after that, I would always suggest people discuss funerals with their children and try to let them understand why it's important to go.

Does flushing a goldfish count? I don't know what the right answer is. I know that someday when both my girls loose their grandparents, they will be crushed. I'm not sure how I am going to handle an event like that - too many emotions for me and my children all at once. btw, my 6 year old really really cried over that goldfish.