When Is The Appropriate Age To Talk To Your Children About Suicide?
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A popular book about manners for children has some parents questioning its advice about a difficult topic—suicide.
"It does seem like it's a strange way to put it in context."
Psychologist Dr. Debra Moore is talking about a book on manners, 'American Girl's A Smart Girl's Guide."
Online reaction to the book has been mostly positive, but some parents have objected to one section. On page 28, under the title Nosy Questions, characters touch on a sensitive topic.
Along with how much do you weigh and how much does your car cost, there's one girl asking another, "I heard that your cousin committed suicide. Why did he do it?"
Parents were concerned they would have to explain a sensitive subject to their 6- or 8-year-old child.
Moore believes there is a right time to talk about suicide, especially if the child brings it up. It's an issue that no one wants to talk about, but is important to cover.
"Suicide is a topic no one wants to discuss in our society but i think in this case it was a topic brought up by the authors intentionally trying to educate," she said.