When an adolescent experiences the death of a family member or friend, often adults related to the young person stand by helplessly wondering what to do. It is my experience that the anxiety level of adults rises considerably as they wonder what they can do, what they should do and how a young person is going to cope with the loss. Although it is a new and frightful world for many adults, it doesn’t need to be. With a bit of common sense and understanding of what a young person is going through…
Johnny was 6 years old and sitting on my couch ready to talk about grandpa–who had just died. In fact, the funeral had been a week before and a lot of people attended. I ask Johnny if he attended, he said, “Sure, I wanted to see grandpa one last time”. I said, “so, where was grandpa? He replied, “at the funeral home”. I quickly ask, “Did you go into the room where he was”. He said, “Yes”. ” So”, I replied,” that is where you saw him”? His response was emphatic, “NO”. I was confused, so I ask him again…
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Helping children through grief can be difficult. Children need to understand death and be taught (through example and discussion) how to grieve properly…