Hey y'all, I usually hang out on the D/D board but thought I'd get some good advice over here as well...

I had a 42 yo cousin die this morning. I was very close to him and his family but my kids only saw them at family functions. Earlier this year I took my older two to a funeral (12 & 10 at the time) and I think it would be appropiate to take my 7yo to this one as well.

My youngest has been kept abreat of the situation and she has been praying for him and his family. I think that it would be good to show her how a family mourns together, bring closure to her prayers, and add to that the fact that she's mad that I didn't take her to the other funeral.

All that being said, my X, disagrees but in the same breathe says that it's your weekend you decide. I pointed out to her that I wouldn't of called her if I didn't want her to have some input in the situation.

Just curious what your thoughts are??????

May I post in with my opinion?

Death is as natural as living. I think that your children are old enough to participate in the rituals that follow a death. Instead of allowing it to be a "scary" event, make it a solemn one where you rejoice over the life of your loved one. Help them to see that it is a natural course and while you are sad, you are also glad that you shared a piece of life with that person.

My grandfather took us to at least 3 funerals a week when I was young. (He was a Baptist Minister) It helped me to never be afraid of death and dying. It just rounded out the entire life process for me.

As Always, JMHO
committed

LH,

I have invited my kids to funurals and over the years, they have gone, but if at various stages they did not want to, I didn't force it.

As a Christian, it is a celebration of a new life yet we can be sad cuz we miss the person.

thats my 2 cents worth

God Bless,

D.

Hi Bill ~ long time no type! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I think your kids deserve a parent that doesn't shield them from reality but instead teaches them about life and death and reality in a loving way.

Hi Bill,

Well I don't trust babble from a Ws but this is a free country so her opinion is just that her opinion.

As for your input, I think your reasons are valid. My parents did not shield me from sharing in their happiness and grief moments. I learned at a young age to see the strength and meaning of family when a loved one died.

I think it is important to children to understand this process. To shield them puts them in an awkward position later as an adult. They will feel very much out of place and often it is these types of situation that helps one become a conflict avoider (we all know what that can lead to).

I support your decision.

take care,
L.