How do you talk to your kids about the use of medically-assisted death? – CBC

Parents, experts talk about how to approach the conversation honestly

Feb 05, 2025

When Trisha Holland’s father applied for a medically-assisted death, she had to decide what — and how much — to share with her three children.

Her father, Ronald Watt, had been diagnosed with cancer and chose medical assistance in dying (MAID) after learning his illness was terminal.

At the time, Holland’s sons were 10, 13 and 15.

She told them, “Grandpa Watt doesn’t want to be sick anymore and he will choose the day that he passes.”

Holland was present for her father’s death, and while her children weren’t, they came to her afterward with more questions.

“Because then I had answers,” she said. “And then I could answer them honestly.”