They don’t want their children to be frightened, which is the most common emotion when someone young is told that they may lose a parent. The child isn’t worrying about hospital bills, how to arrange a funeral or who will take care of them, as an adult would be. They are simply frightened and very sad.

Parents should be supported by relatives during this time, so that they can get the help they need while being able to attend to their children with as little worry on their part as possible.

I remember being devastated at age 16 when I knew my grandmother was going to die after a stroke. I didn’t know how to handle it at all. I also felt guilty for avoiding visiting her in the hospital—I couldn’t stand to see her like that.

Imagine what this would do to a younger child if it was their mother or father.