Family and Friends Forum

How to explain to children

Notifications OFF

Devestatedwife

Member since
October 2023

61 posts

Posted Tue April 30, 2024 8:03pmReport post

Can any one give me some advice .



I have been told by the social worker I have to give my children more of an explanation to why their dad has gone

2 children age 9 and 10.



how do you start of tell children and what do

You say ?

Ginluver

Member since
April 2023

68 posts

Posted Tue April 30, 2024 9:44pmReport post

Hi devastated mum, I've recently had to tell my children one of the same age of yours that dad has gone to prison. I just tried to keep it simple that dad had done something bad and had to go somewhere to learn some lessons so that he won't do anything bad again and that they Wouldn't be seeing him for a while they asked how long but I didnt say how long as thought it may make it sound a long time so I just said I wasn't sure but it wouldn't be forever. Are your children able to have contact over the phone? My kids have been able to have supervised contact up until he got sentenced which helped them being able to still have some contact with him. I think I worried they would react really badly but I think I had it in my head they would react to it worse than they actually did. X

Anxious mummy

Member since
February 2023

100 posts

Posted Tue April 30, 2024 10:49pmReport post

I really struggled with telling my son. What I tried to do was speak to his school to find out what they were learning about sex and relationships. So make it age appropriate. I tried to drip feed the information. Whatever happens do not be pushed by your social worker. My social worker insisted my son knew more and then asked him so many questions that she basically told him. So make sure either you or another trusted adult (such as a school counsellor) are present for those discussions. You must feel confident in what you wish to tell your son and when. My major regret is letting her speak to my son alone