What do I tell my kid?

[meak]

I don't believe or disbelieve anything other than that anything is possible. My 6 year old has been asking a lot of questions about what will happen when we die and I feel bad about saying "I don't know" so I lamely say what some people believe, that no one really knows and maybe he can become a scientist that invents a potion so we live forever. These are crap answers, aren't they? Can anyone give me something better so he doesn't have nightmares.

[Something completely different]

I told myself, that if I should ever have kids, and if they should ever ask what happens if they die. I will reply:

You`ll rott

Let`s see what happens when reality kicks in.

Theres alot of young parents here, I am sure one or two or all of them may have an answere which isnt as german as mine.

[pocaracas]

Talk about burials, cremation, organ donors, etc...
It's good to keep it simple with kids.

[Baalzebutt]

I don't believe or disbelieve anything other than that anything is possible. My 6 year old has been asking a lot of questions about what will happen when we die and I feel bad about saying "I don't know" so I lamely say what some people believe, that no one really knows and maybe he can become a scientist that invents a potion so we live forever. These are crap answers, aren't they? Can anyone give me something better so he doesn't have nightmares.

I think the answers you are giving are actually exceptional. Admitting you don't know is ok.

I particularly like the answer about encouraging him to become a scientist in a truly age-appropriate manner.

Sounds to me like you are a good parent. Keep it up.

[Something completely different]

Talk about burials, cremation, organ donors, etc...
It's good to keep it simple with kids.

Ehhhh
yeah. right.

The thing I would definatly talk to a child about "organs taken from one person and put into another"

Maybe it is just a good thing to say: "I dont know".
Children will want adults to be honest to them.

[meak]

I told myself, that if I should ever have kids, and if they should ever ask what happens if they die. I will reply:

You`ll rott

Let`s see what happens when reality kicks in.

Theres alot of young parents here, I am sure one or two or all of them may have an answere which isnt as german as mine.

That's funny. My parents are German so I could definitely say that if he was 16 but at 6... I just want a good quiet nights sleep.

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I don't believe or disbelieve anything other than that anything is possible. My 6 year old has been asking a lot of questions about what will happen when we die and I feel bad about saying "I don't know" so I lamely say what some people believe, that no one really knows and maybe he can become a scientist that invents a potion so we live forever. These are crap answers, aren't they? Can anyone give me something better so he doesn't have nightmares.

I think the answers you are giving are actually exceptional. Admitting you don't know is ok.

I particularly like the answer about encouraging him to become a scientist in a truly age-appropriate manner.

Sounds to me like you are a good parent. Keep it up.

The thing I worry about with saying "I don't know" is that he'll want to get the answer from someone else. Worst case scenario, his grandparents.

[Violet]

If that's all you be wanting for... I present to you a mystical gift from the etherfiends in the nether:



It works.

[downbeatplumb]

I don't believe or disbelieve anything other than that anything is possible. My 6 year old has been asking a lot of questions about what will happen when we die and I feel bad about saying "I don't know" so I lamely say what some people believe, that no one really knows and maybe he can become a scientist that invents a potion so we live forever. These are crap answers, aren't they? Can anyone give me something better so he doesn't have nightmares.

Ask him what he thinks happens and take it from there.

[Baalzebutt]

The thing I worry about with saying "I don't know" is that he'll want to get the answer from someone else. Worst case scenario, his grandparents.

But, don't you see? That is the beauty of you telling him what other people believe!! It allows him to seek information from other sources and TO MAKE HIS OWN DECISIONS!!!!

I cannot think of a more beautiful scenario. Teaching your child to think is the greatest gift you can ever give them.

[Sal]

I don't believe or disbelieve anything other than that anything is possible. My 6 year old has been asking a lot of questions about what will happen when we die and I feel bad about saying "I don't know" so I lamely say what some people believe, that no one really knows and maybe he can become a scientist that invents a potion so we live forever. These are crap answers, aren't they? Can anyone give me something better so he doesn't have nightmares.

I actually like your reply and take on it. Nobody knows other than what The Germans already said: You'll rot.

I'll also echo "keep it simple". Once your kid becomes old enough to understand, if he doesn't already, then you can tell him what you believe happens.

If I ever get a kid, I'll say something along the lines that they'll become part of the dirt and they'll live on in the memories of those he/she influenced. Later I'll enumerate that with my own position that the -I- will cease to exist, so it'll be the same like before you were born; not existing.