When children lose one of their parents to death, they may worry that their other parent will die as well. This worry can also come if another person who has been very important to them (such as a grandparent) dies. What can we do to keep those worries to a minimum? We lay the first [...]
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Helping Children Cope with Grief during the Holiday Season
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November 2, 2011
2 Responses
Holidays are normally a time of joy and celebration amongst families; however, they can heighten children’s sense of loss. Whether it is loss from a death or a divorce, a child is more likely to acknowledge the fact that the relative is missing during these times that are spent with family. According to recent census [...]
100 Great Stress Busters for Kids
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January 14, 2011
2 Responses
Stress is the normal nervous tension we feel in our bodies when we are making a transition in our life. Change is sometimes predictable like the birth of a baby, transferring to a higher school grade or graduation from high school. Then there are changes that happen unexpectedly, like coming down with a major illness, [...]
Edwards Children Will Need Adult Help as They Grieve
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December 9, 2010
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The death of Elizabeth Edwards this week leaves three children without their mother, including two children ages 12 and 10. What can the Edwards family and friends do to help them through their grief? Research by psychoanalysts at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis on The Effects of Early Parent Deaths showed: The most important thing [...]
Welcome Mat for Grief in the School Counselor’s Office
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November 15, 2010
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I had my back to my office door as I was pounding away on the computer, writing parent permission letters to attend a grief group. After sensing a presence, I turned and saw a student standing there, somber, yet alert and extremely pensive. “Hi, I’m Mrs. J.” I smiled, staying seated, somehow believing it was [...]
A Memory Game for Grieving Children
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September 4, 2010
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This version of the typical children’s memory game (known in some circles as Concentration) is for grieving families to share memories of a departed one. It was therapeutic for me to make, and while playing, the kids rehearse memories as they refine their recall and spacial skills. Materials: – cardboard large enough to make your [...]
Graduation Historic Day for Parentless Children Raised by Grandparents
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July 1, 2010
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June was graduation month for most American high schools. Our twin grandchildren graduated then, and my husband and I attended the ceremony. It was an emotional experience because we are GRGs, grandparents raising grandchildren. We assumed these roles after our grandchildren’s parents — our daughter and son-in-law — were killed in separate car crashes. Graduation [...]
Mother Finds Comfort in Living Her Daughter’s Values
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June 6, 2010
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On the first anniversary of our daughter’s death, my husband and I held a graveside service in her memory. It was a brief service because the February temperature hovered around zero and the wind chill was fierce. Despite the weather, 10 people gathered to remember her. I passed out a list of our daughter’s values. [...]
Mourners Surrounded by Sacred Moments
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May 22, 2010
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Ever since my daughter died from the injuries she received in a car crash in 2007, I’ve become more aware of the sacred moments in my life. Before she died I thought I was aware of these moments, but this turned out to be untrue. I was sort of aware of them. Other family members [...]
‘Sole Parenthood’ Challenges Young Widow and Her Kids
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May 12, 2010
5 Responses
There are times when, as a sole parent, I feel as if I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. When I say “sole” parent, I mean only parent. There is no other parent around to pick up the kids every other weekend. There is no one that can in-case-of-emergency run and grab [...]
Haiti’s Children Need Emotional Support after Quake
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March 19, 2010
1 Response
As the world pulls together to deliver physical necessities such as food, water and shelter, we must remember to respond to the emotional healing that is needed nationwide in Haiti as well. Following the earthquake, the children will experience post-traumatic stress and they will have deep scars, physically and emotionally, that must be tended to. [...]
Helping the Grieving Child in School
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November 23, 2009
1 Response
Children’s grief should be seen as an ongoing life process that is approachable through words, activities and non-verbal communication. Educators can use this understanding to create a safe environment for parents, teachers and children to acknowledge and process difficult feelings. So often adults rely on the prevailing myth that children are too young too grieve. [...]
Helping your Child with Loss and Grief
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September 4, 2009
1 Response
How can we help our children deal with deaths of loved ones? Here are some ways. Prepare the children for what will come. The more open you can be about what is ahead, the less uncomfortable your children will be. Explain what the funeral will be like, what they will see and what feelings they [...]
Youth Violence Often the Result of Traumatic Losses
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September 3, 2009
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By Suzy Yehl Marta – Josh was a quiet kid, a seventh grader in a mid-size, Midwest city whose parents’ divorce left him bereft. Fortunately, his school offered a peer-support group for students struggling with family transitions, and Josh chose to attend. Meeting every week, the kids in the group shared their pain, confusion and divided [...]
Helping Your Child Cope With Loss
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June 25, 2009
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By Lauren Littauer Briggs – By the time I was eight, my first brother had died and my second was diagnosed with the same fatal condition. My great-grandmother had died, but I wasn’t allowed at the funeral. Instead, I peeked through the heating ducts to watch what was going on. My dog was given away [...]
Loss During Young Adulthood May Make One Feel Old
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June 23, 2009
7 Responses
By Beryl Kaminsky – The young adult years — ranging from late teens to early thirties — span a period of life when most people are self-centered. Life is all about gaining independence, finding oneself, having a good time or starting relationships. Death is the farthest thing from a young person’s mind. As a result, [...]
Mother’s Power Limited in the Face of Death
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May 27, 2009
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By Michele Neff Hernandez – Motherhood brings out the lioness in me. No task is too small or sacrifice too great to ensure the well being of my three children. In my mind’s eye, I can see myself jumping in front of an on-coming train to save their lives; feeding them first from my last [...]
Helping Young People Cope With Grief
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May 13, 2009
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By Theresa V. Wilson – Age is not a prerequisite for grief. Whether as a result of death or divorce, the stages of a child’s emotional recuperation must be fully addressed. When a child is grieving, there are helpful principles that will reap positive results. Never assume you know what your child may be thinking [...]
Supporting Children Dealing with Grief During the Holidays: Tips to Help
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April 27, 2009
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The holidays can be a magical time of year, but for children who have recently lost a parent, sibling, or another significant person in their lives, the holiday season can be an emotional minefield. It can also pose challenges for their still grieving surviving parents and other family members. “The holiday season can be particularly [...]
11-Year-Old Son Lashes Out After Death of Dad
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March 10, 2009
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Question from Margaret: My husband of 16 years passed away a little over 6 months ago. He was not ill, so it was shock to me and our two sons, ages 10 and 11. My husband had a temper, but never, ever laid his hands on me. Now, my 11-year-old is pushing me and hitting [...]
Ideas for Widows or Widowers with Teenagers who are Grieving the Loss of their Parent
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December 4, 2008
5 Responses
This week’s column was written by my 24-year-old daughter Emily. I had asked her for suggestions for widows or widowers with teenagers who are grieving the loss of their parent, at the same time the surviving parent is grieving the loss of spouse. My father died nearly six years ago of esophageal cancer, when [...]
What can Kids Hold Onto After a Parent has Died?
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November 10, 2008
1 Response
By Harriet Hodgson It has been just over a month since my daughter was killed in a car crash. Every day has been a day of tears, some voiced, some silent. My 15-year-old twin grandchildren are so overcome with grief they are almost paralyzed. Both of them are looking for reminders of [...]
Alcoholic Families Create Legacy of Loss
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November 7, 2008
1 Response
By Penelope Wesley – We usually don’t think of alcoholism as a loss, but it creates ripples of loss in every direction. My experience with alcohol and abuse consists of being raised with an alcoholic father and a mother who turned to drinking later and attempted to hide it, and my own struggle with drinking to drown [...]
I Miss My Dad
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October 23, 2008
4 Responses
hi i’m tom. i’m 11 and im having trouble about my dad dying. my dad died when i was 2 and i miss him. i have memories of him and a photo please help me Tom Drs. Gloria ad Heidi Respond Dear Tom, Sometimes It’s hard for a boy to be without a dad. You [...]
