How would you handle this situation ?

As most of you probably know, we had a fire and lost our home. The home is boarded up and will be knocked down and rebuilt at some point.

We were staying at my sister's for the first few days, and she asked to go home. I told her our house is broken and we cant stay there. We need to fix it.

Since we have been @ hotel, she hasnt asked. She calls it "my hotel". Hoping to move to a rental home soon.


How would you handle all this transition? I never used the word FIRE because I thought it would be too scary. I havent taken her past the house, i avoid it. I'm afraid she'll see it & will realize all her belongings she cant have back. We lost everything. DH thinks we should show her so she understands, I dont agree. She is only 3.

Sorry, so long. If you made it this far...thanks

I've been saying house is broken. When we move to the new house, I figured reexplain that we are staying here until we build our house.

Message edited 9/10/2012 11:58:28 AM.

Re: How would you handle this situation ?

I would do exactly what you are doing.
3 is a bit young to understand the permenence of the loss anyway, the concept that everything is gone, etc

I think the house is "broken" is the best way to go at that age.
You don't want to scare her either by talking about the fire.

Kids are amazing at how they can adapt and bounce back and adjust- so much better than even we can.

Best of luck with everything and so sorry for what you are going through!

How would you handle this situation ?

Don't show her the house - it will scare her. The house is broken is fine and "the guys" are going to fix it so its safe for us.

ExH had a house fire when DS just turned 4 (his step bro was 6) they didn't take the kids to the house.

We told DS that he was so lucky b/c he gets all new big boy toys. we did tell him there was a fire but he didn't see any pictures. He is staying at his new MIL's house and they have a pool so we just played up how great it will be. They have been there for 6 months and DS doesn't really ask to go to the old house. He does sometimes mentions toys that got lost "when the house got fired". Like the house was on Apprentice or something


Sorry to hear about your house/fire.