What to tell a 5yr old when mum goes to rehab?

My sister is going into rehab for 3 months. She and her husband are divorcing and while she is in rehab he and their little boy are going to live with his mum.

His whole world is about to be turned upside down, although divorce won’t be mentioned for a while. Any thoughts on what she could tell him to help him cope with such a big change? He will be visiting her once a week.

What to tell 5yr old when Mom goes to rehab

by: Anonymous


Just try telling him that Mommy is sick & needs to go to a hospital for a while to get better. This way you wouldn’t be lying to the child & he may understand a little better. I know that no matter what it’s going to be hard for this precious boy, my prayers are with him & his Mommy.


Age Appropriate

by: Ned Wicker


Keep it simple. Mommy is sick and people are helping her get better. Kids need to know they are loved and cared for, so telling him about the treatment is the least of their concerns.
Perhaps the husband can take some time and think about the divorce and what that will mean to his child. Divorce is never a good option and people are so self-absorbed and stubborn. Mom is doing what she needs to do to get her life back on track and her time in treatment gives her plenty of opportunity to contemplate her life and her marriage.
A divorce will not make either of them happy, nor will it solve any of their personal problems. It’s just too easy. “We weren’t good together” is a classic excuse. Americans just think they can walk away from their problems, because the courts say it’s no fault and the courts make it fast and simple. They’ll both probably get remarried and probably both of them will divorce again. The child becomes the pawn. It’s sad.


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