A child between the ages of 5 and 12 wouldn't want anyone but their parents to be around them all the time. Take Susan, for example, a 7-year-old whose father left her when she was not even born.

The only person she sees all day from the day she was born is her mother. She grew so close to her and loved her to the extent that she wanted her mother's presence in everything she did. One day, suddenly, her mother passed away from a heart attack. And this news was nothing short of a nightmare for Susan.

She grew distant from everyone and did not understand how to cope with anything in her life. She lacked the vocabulary or emotional tools to express their grief, and this can lead to confusion, sadness, or even acting out in ways that seem unrelated.

About 6.3 million children like Susan around the world are going or have gone through the death of a loved one as we speak, and understanding them can be difficult. Let's learn how we can care for and support these angels in times of grief.

How Can You Support a Child who is in Grief?

Help children feel validated in their emotions

Feelings that arise in mourning, be it sadness or anger, should be accepted as part of the normal process. Also, use direct and concrete phrases like "died" when explaining to children rather than using vague concepts, which in most cases lead to confusion in children.

Create a safe environment for expressing grief

Ask open-ended questions to let them share openly ("How are you feeling?"). Use alternative expression methods, like drawing or storytelling, if verbal communication is challenging.

Offer children a sense of normalcy and control

Keep consistent routines, such as regular meals and bedtimes, to establish security. Allow children to re-engage with activities at their own pace, respecting their unique grieving process.

Make sure children feel supported and not alone

Small gestures, like a comforting presence or physical touch, can be grounding. To foster healthy memories, encourage creating a memory box or sharing stories about the loved one.

Recognize when grief requires specialized support

If grief disrupts the child's daily functioning or leads to behavioral changes, consider consulting a child therapist or grief counselor for additional guidance and coping strategies.

Contact Hamel-Lydon For Additional Resources & Guidance

Validating their feelings, sticking to some order, and allowing them to speak leads kids to cope with loss constructively without resentment. Assisting them should not mean taking away the suffering but ensuring they provide an environment for their recuperation whenever they deem fit.

Don't worry if you're still confused about how you can support a child in sadness. Hamel-Lydon is here to assist you. We have many tested and valuable resources that can get a child through the anguish of losing a loved one. From grief support resources to articles on handling and navigating grief, our team is here for our community. Contact us today in Quincy, MA, or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.