#52: Why We Let Our Kids Witness Death
Jul 16, 2026 · 1 hr 1 min · 12 segments
There are moments in life that expose what we really believe. For our family, that moment came when we had to say goodbye to our 13½-year-old Labrador, Bross. This episode isn’t only about losing a…
There are moments in life that expose what we really believe. For our family, that moment came when we had to say goodbye to our 13½-year-old Labrador, Bross. This episode isn’t only about losing a dog. It’s about grief. It’s about parenting. It’s about what it means to honor commitment when things become inconvenient, painful, and uncertain. And it’s about the question every parent eventually faces: **Do we protect our kids from life’s hardest moments—or invite them in?** Over the course of three years, we watched Bross slowly lose the ability to do the things he loved. Eventually, he couldn’t stand on his own, couldn’t control his bladder or bowels, and required constant care. We wrestled with impossible questions: \* When does compassion become prolonging suffering? \* How do you know when it’s “time”? \* Should children be part of those decisions? \* What does grief actually look like inside a family? There weren’t easy answers. Only the opportunity to live according to our values. In this episode, we talk about: \* Why we chose to involve our kids in every step of Bross’ final season. \* The emotional weight of making life-and-death decisions. \* Why we believe modern families are often disconnected from death—and how that affects us. \* The surprising ways grief showed up differently in each member of our family. \* The temptation to rush past pain instead of allowing ourselves to fully experience it. \* How emotional regulation tools helped us navigate one of the hardest experiences we’ve faced together. \* Why holding space for someone else’s grief can be just as exhausting as carrying your own. \* The difference between protecting our children and preparing them for life. One lesson that changed us One realization kept surfacing throughout this journey: **Grief isn’t something to fix. It’s something to experience.** Our culture often tells us to move on quickly. Find the silver lining. Stay strong. Get back to normal. But healing didn’t come from convincing ourselves we’d made the perfect decision. It came from allowing ourselves to ask difficult questions. From crying. From doubting. From sitting together in silence. From letting every member of our family grieve in their own way, without trying to make it better. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do—for ourselves and for the people we care about—is simply make space. A question for you Is there something in your life you’re trying to “get over” instead of allowing yourself to feel? Maybe it’s the loss of a loved one. A relationship. A job. A dream. Or maybe you’re carrying grief that no one else even knows about. What would happen if, instead of rushing yourself through it, you gave yourself permission to simply be where you are? Our encouragement There is no perfect way to grieve. There is no perfect way to navigate loss. But there is tremendous growth available when we’re willing to stay present with the hard things instead of outsourcing them or escaping them. The deepest parts of being human aren’t found by avoiding pain. They’re found by walking through it—with honesty, courage, and people who are willing to sit beside us. If this conversation resonates with you, we’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment wherever you’re listening. You never know who needs the reminder that they’re not grieving alone. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com
There are moments in life that expose what we really believe. For our family, that moment came when we had to say goodbye to our 13½-year-old Labrador, Bross. This episode isn’t only about losing a…
