How to Help Your Child Cope With Grief
Raising kids has never been easy, and in this day and age, it’s particularly challenging. But perhaps nothing’s more challenging for a parent than the prospect of helping a child cope with grief. It may be grief over the loss of a pet, a friend, or a family member. It could be grief due to separation, or worse, grief due to someone’s death. Are you a parent faced with this challenge? Then read on for some advice on how to help your child get through this difficult time. Use simple and clear words Breaking the news is an art. How you approach your child with the news is very important. While remaining sensitive to your child’s emotions, it is best to take a direct approach and tell them clearly and precisely what happened. “I am sorry that your pup died this morning. We won’t see it again”, or, “Your best friend has moved to a new place, and you will have to say goodbye” would be ways to begin the conversation. Allow your kid to grasp the reality and then talk further. Listen and reassure Most of the times, kids don’t react the way we expect them to. Sometimes, they cry, sometimes they don’t, and sometimes, they might even seem indifferent.