What to tell 4 year old?

I am taking my daughter to rehab today. She will be in Rehab for months. She has a four year old son who is very perceptive. During rehab we will be visiting our daughter, with our grandson. What should we tell him as to why she is there? Our daughter hasn;t been around much the last 5 months, our grandson does chastise her when they have spoken. Don't know what to say, don't want to tell him it is for drugs as who knows what he will say at his pre-k.

Just tell him she is sick and needs help getting better.

Thats what I was thinking too, but he is so 'aware' my wife is worried he wold worry about his mother being so sick. Probably the best idea though.

Mommy has not been feeling well and needs help to feel better so this is where mommy will be staying for awhile. We will visit her so you can see for yourself. We love you and she loves you too.
That is what I would say...I hope it helps. I also hope your daughter gets the help she needs. It does take a supportive family. I wish you all the best.

If he's that perceptive, then he already has a clue how sick she is. He KNOWS things aren't right. He will probably understand if she needs help to get better. Kids are smarter than we think they are. You're right that he doesn't need to know the specifics. But he already knows there's a problem. And which is more worrying...Mom is sick, or Mom is getting better?

I hope it all works out.

I went into rehab when my kids were 2 and 4. My (now ex) husband told them that I was sick and needed to stay at the "special hospital" so the doctor's could help me get better. They accepted that explanation and it seemed to make sense to them.

Hi. I think that was the best thing to say for a child, that she is only in a hospital with many doctors that will help her to become better, in this way they will not to think that their mother had done wrong. But of course, be sure to explain it in them when they are in the right age.