A nature based approach aimed at teaching children about losing a loved one and how to cope.
A nature based approach aimed at teaching children about losing a loved one and how to cope.
If your household is anything like a growing number of Americans, you might not be very religious. It’s perfectly okay if you are. While I believe there’s nothing inherently wrong with introducing the concept of heaven to a small child, my wife and I felt it was important to be true to our own agnostic beliefs when explaining my mom’s passing in 2024 to our oldest child.
In this book, I use a metaphor involving fireflies and a glass mason jar serving as life in a temporary vessel. I wrote the book to read as a conversation between my oldest daughter and myself and if it prompts your child to ask questions during or even after you’ve finished reading, then I’ve succeeded in one of my goals. I’ve left many parts in the book to be open to interpretation so as to try and not alienate households who are religious.
I understand first hand that the grieving process, funeral planning and participation, coordinating with family members and managing the deceased’s personal possessions is a lot of stressful work. One of my goals is to help with at least one of those burdens by breaking the news to your young child or children in a gentle and compassionate manner.
My number one goal with this book, is help children understand that death is a normal part of life and to enjoy time with their loved ones while they’re still around. Any feeling they may experience whether it be sadness, confusion, or fear; they’re all valid feelings. They are not alone.
- Trapping fireflies for too long can interrupt their mating cycle and shorten their lives.
- Avoid rough handling like squeezing or smooshing them.
- Use of artificial light such as flashlights can disrupt their mating and communication.
- Always release fireflies from their container in a moist vegetated area.
- Though not always as fun, you can also observe without a container to be extra safe.
- Consider purchasing a ready-made bug catcher lid for Mason jars that have proper modifications for maximum safety of the insects.
For additional resources you can visit FireFly.org to learn more about this activity as well as santuaries to help protect fireflies.
I understand the nature of this book being as its based in agnostic beliefs may attract the attention of those who are deeply religious. Please understand that I’ve taken many steps to ensure the book is respectful as possible to all beliefs and any attempts by outside parties with the intention of personal criticism will likely be ignored. I’d rather keep the focus of communication on helping children.
Daddy, Where's Grammie | Copyright® 2025