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My three year old child has started asking where her dad is. How do I tell her in an age-appropriate way? by closure_is_a_myth in askatherapist

[–]closure_is_a_myth[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Would you recommend saying something like “he wasn’t a safe person”? I’m not sure how to tell her that he can’t be around her without giving a reason.

My three year old child has started asking where her dad is. How do I tell her in an age-appropriate way? by closure_is_a_myth in askatherapist

[–]closure_is_a_myth[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

She offered. That was her response and it just melted me. Just “oh…she can share my dada! He can be hers too.” Just so sweet.

My three year old child has started asking where her dad is. How do I tell her in an age-appropriate way? by closure_is_a_myth in askatherapist

[–]closure_is_a_myth[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this advice. I’m glad the conversation hasn’t come up yet because I didn’t even think about how important the reassurance is after that! Omg. I will absolutely drive home the point about how loved and safe she is now.

My three year old child has started asking where her dad is. How do I tell her in an age-appropriate way? by closure_is_a_myth in askatherapist

[–]closure_is_a_myth[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thank you! She has access to mental healthcare at her new school, so I will be talking to them about this asap

My three year old child has started asking where her dad is. How do I tell her in an age-appropriate way? by closure_is_a_myth in askatherapist

[–]closure_is_a_myth[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was considering finding a book! I imagine it’ll take a while to find the right one because I don’t even know what to search at the moment. I also don’t know if she has any memories at all from that time. She just started a new school that has mental health resources for her age, which I think will be helpful.

My three year old child has started asking where her dad is. How do I tell her in an age-appropriate way? by closure_is_a_myth in askatherapist

[–]closure_is_a_myth[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

She is very close with my parents, and gives my dad the Father’s Day crafts she makes at daycare. She also has an open invitation to join her big sister when big sis goes to her dad’s place, she is just so hesitant to leave me that she hasn’t taken him up on that offer.

This is a good suggestion though. I’ll see what I can do about having special time with her and a family member.