Kids at camp. Dog is going to be put to sleep. Tell them or not?
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Anonymous
| The subject line basically says it all. Our kids are 11 and 9, away at camp for the week. Our instinct is to wait until they return to tell them the dog (an older dog, which they knew was at the end of her lifespan) had to be put down this week. How have others handled this--tell them now or wait until they're home next week? We've had to put dogs down before, so we won't be introducing any new concepts to them, but this will no doubt be a tough loss for them. |
Anonymous
| I think this is a decision that different people could make differently. I would call and tell them, mid-week at camp, myself. |
Anonymous
| Definitely wait. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| Why ruin camp for them? Tell them when they get home. |
Anonymous
| I'd wait, too. I'm sorry you lost your dog. |
Anonymous
| Definitely wait. This is actually an example of what not to do in our camp's newsletter. What good would it do to ruin their week? |
Anonymous
| I would wait. |
Anonymous
No, wait. You can even lie and say you did it the day before they got back so there wasn't time to tell them (to reduce any guilt they may feel) |
Anonymous
| My parents put down our family dog while I was at camp. They told me when I got home. It didn't scar me for life. |
Anonymous
| Went through this recently (but during the school year) with kids the exact same ages. I'd wait. |
Anonymous
| I would wait. If for no other reason than you won't be there to comfort them. |
Anonymous
| I was older (teens) when this happened, and my parents waited until I got back. Think that was the right move. Don't see an upside to telling earlier. |
Anonymous
| I think it depends on your kid.i was a super sensitive kid with anxiety. When I was in 2nd grade my parents did something similar and it took me a LONG time to rebuild their trust/not have anciety that they were hiding something from me. |
Anonymous
| Bad news should be given in person if possible. Wait. |