Re: Children and death
Thank you, all of you, for your replies. I truly appreciate your quick answers and the different points of view. What a great bunch of people we have on gupshup!
Of course I know well that the decision is not mine to make and I would never interfere, especially at a time like this. I have no doubt that everyone tries to do their very best.
What I find interesting in the replies here and in personal messages from friends is that those who really have lived through the death of someone close to them (Minah, miss mohabbat, ahmedjee) are most in favour of participation in the funeral.
When my oldest was eight, I lost a baby at term through stillbirth. We tried to protect the children and kept them away from the funeral etc. Our oldest was very angry at us for years about this. God forbid, if I had to do something like I know now that if I did have any doubt I would ask my children what they wanted to do.
In the end I think they have decided the kid will go to school as usual and then go to a friends' house as though nothing had happened. I hope he will be able to cope with his feelings afterwards.