Tough Conversations with Children

As I tossed and turned in the bed, I could hear whispers in the other room. “How is she going to get through this? I can’t believe this happened.” Pushing myself up in the bed, I realized what I had hoped was a nightmare was actually reality. I forced myself to get up and go into my daughter’s room bracing myself. I was about to have the most difficult conversation I had ever had in my life. How do you tell a 4-year-old their dad died by suicide?

I had no idea how to share with Jorjanne and I didn’t know what our future would hold. Nineteen years later I have written a book to help parents talk with their children about suicide loss. Unfortunately, I learned by trial and error. Thankfully, God gave me words when I had none. Since that day I have counseled numerous survivors of suicide loss and interviewed many others. I have compiled stories and lessons learned in my newest book slated for release this summer.

I thank God that he has used my deepest pain to help others. I pray this book will help parents navigate suicide loss with children. In the coming months I will be building a launch team to help me promote this book. If you are interested in being a part of that team, please email me and let me know. I will share more in the coming weeks.

As for today, I thank God for his goodness in every season of life.