INDIANA – Coping with a loss, whether it’s a loved one or a pet, can be challenging for anyone, but helping your child navigate the complex emotions that come with it can be particularly daunting. As a parent or guardian, it is often hard to see the little ones we love and care for in pain.
Here are some gentle ways to support your child during a time of grief:
- Foster Open Communication: Create a safe space for your child to express their emotions openly. Encourage them to share memories and feelings, and assure them it’s okay to feel a range of emotions, from sadness to confusion.
- Share Stories and Memories: Celebrate the life of the person or pet they lost by sharing fond memories and stories. Reminiscing about happy times can bring comfort and help your child remember the positive impact their loved one had on their life.
- Validate Their Feelings: Let your child know their feelings are valid and normal. They need to understand that grief takes different forms and everyone processes it in their unique way and at their own pace.
- Maintain Routine and Stability at Home: In times of loss, routine can provide a sense of stability for children. Stick to familiar schedules and activities to create a reassuring environment for your child.
- Encourage Healthy Coping Skills: Assist your child in finding healthy ways to express their grief. This could include using art or play as a vehicle for expressing painful emotions. Other healthy ways of coping include spending time in nature and engaging in shared family activities such as hiking, watching movies, playing board games, and other activities.
- Seek Professional Support if Needed: If your child is struggling to cope with the loss, consider seeking professional help. You can reach out to their school’s Youth First Mental Health Professional (a list is available at youthfirstinc.org) or your child’s family physician for additional support and resources.
Helping a child cope with loss is an ongoing journey. Hold space for your child and listen to them. By providing love, understanding, and the necessary tools to express their emotions, you can help your child navigate the path of healing with resilience and strength.
Hailey Hagan, MSW, LSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at Stockwell Elementary School in Vanderburgh County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 130 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Over 54,000 youth and families each year are served by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.
