Dealing with loss is one of life’s many trials, it is somewhat inevitable, yet nonetheless profoundly upsetting when finally confronted with it.
For some children, grief can be difficult to fully understand, as in many instances, the emotions they feel will be brand-new and incredibly powerful. It can be difficult to express these feelings without knowing how to articulate them to others or explain them internally.
If you feel as though you need to prepare your child to cope with grief, here are some tips you might want to consider.
Don’t Patronize
Children are smart, some more so than adults. In this regard, it can be important to avoid patronizing them when talking about difficult subjects.
This can seem like a daunting task, but there are ways to be clear and concise without being reckless and insensitive. For example, they will likely need a great deal of support and reassurance throughout the process, so it is important to continue to check in on them, even if you personally find the subject hard to deal with.
Books
There are countless prophetic sentences found throughout the pages of children’s literature, and some of the most meticulously crafted examples can help teach children about the nature of loss and grief while presenting a narrative in a delicate and precise manner.
Reading with your child can be a wonderful way for you to both deal with the situation together, as a team who can offer each other the support they need to cope.
Explaining the Changes
If you are dealing with an aging relative who is starting to change as a result of their health, this has the potential to evoke strong feelings of confusion and unfamiliarity in children.
These changes can be hard to deal with, but it may be useful to involve your child with them directly instead of alienating them from their loved ones.
This can be done by explaining why these changes occur and what is causing the personality change.
Taking your child for visits can be a good way to keep them in the picture, because otherwise they may feel left out of the situation. This also gives them a part to play, making them feel as though they are helping out in the best way they can, an important aspect in coping with loss.
If you feel like your elderly relative needs some extra care, you may want to check out the services available at Brentwood assisted living, as this is a great example of a caring community for seniors.
Help with the Vocabulary
If your child is struggling to explain their emotions, it might be a result of not knowing which words to say.
If they do not necessarily want to say anything, it may be worth sitting down with them and explaining your own emotions, as this can help them to better understand how they are feeling.
The process is long and difficult, but helping your child to cope with grief can be an extremely important part of their development and hopefully make them a caring and empathic individual in later life.
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