Anonymous #22 — What Do You Tell a Child Who Asks If They're Going to Die?

What do you say to a child who asks, “Am I going to die?”This week's caller is a physician who works with children who have cancer and has training in pediatric palliative and hospice care. In this conversation, she shares what it’s like to talk honestly with families about death. Including a story about having to tell a seven-year-old patient that she is going to die.This is a heavier episode. The subject matter is difficult, and the conversation doesn’t shy away from that. But it’s also thoughtful and full of compassion. The call stays with what these moments actually require: clarity, presence, and care.We talk about how children understand death and why avoiding these conversations often makes things harder. It's a conversation I promise you won't forget if you are in the right headspace for it. In this episode:Talking with children about death and dyingWhat it means to tell a child the truthPediatric oncology and palliative careBeing on both sides of the hospital bedEnd-of-life conversations with children and familiesThe absence of language for parents who lose a childBook Recommendations: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams); American Gods (Neil Gaiman)If you’d like to watch this conversation instead of just listening, you can find the video version on YouTube.About When We Die Talks: When We Die Talks is a podcast built around anonymous conversations about death, loss, and how contemplating mortality shapes the way we live. If you’re new here, start with the Episode Guide. It’s designed to help you find conversations that match where you’re at—curiosity, grief, hesitation, or openness.Stay Connected🌐 Website: whenwedietalks.com📰 Substack: When We Die Talks📸 Instagram: @whenwedietalks▶️ YouTube: When We Die Talks✉️ Email: [email protected] to share your thoughts? Leave a voicemail at 971-328-0864 and share what you believe happens when we die. Messages may be featured in a future episode. If you’d like to have a full conversation, you can apply to be an anonymous caller at whenwedietalks.com.