When my nephew was 3, my sister went into the other room to get something and he said “where did mommy go” and I said “she’s dead” and his eyes welled up immediately and I was like “I was just joking she’s coming back” & that was the day I learned he couldn’t take a joke

My brother was there and witnessed the whole thing and was just aghast and I was like “sshhhh shut up shut up shut up”

EXCUSE me for not realizing the child would understand the concept of death enough to be heartbroken but not understand it enough to know that “mom walking into the kitchen” isn’t how someone dies

I have no regrets. The kid is fine and I was right. It was funny! Not for him, but for me and my brother! And now all of you! You get to enjoy my good funny story.