Grief is natural response to loss. We know that grief is unique to each individual, influenced by many factors, and goes on forever. TGRC is here with you every step of the way. May you find bits of strength, hope, or insight in some of these written materials.
resources from & authored by tgrc
Children and Loss
The death of a significant loved one is a lifelong loss for a child, but it does not have to “derail” his or her future. It is normal for a child to miss the deceased and for feelings of grief to come and go with different levels of intensity for some time after the death. At the same time, it is frustrating when your child is hurting, impacted emotionally and mentally, and you are unsure how to help them through their pain. Here are a few suggestions about how to be helpful to a grieving child based on current practice among children’s grief support professionals.
Grief is a normal reaction for a child to the death of someone in his or her life. Grief is a reflection of our awareness that a significant change has happened. Someone who was an important part of our life is no longer here, whether the relationship with that person was caring and loving, or contentious and difficult. The death of someone in our life takes time to fully accept, and even then we continue to miss that person in our own special way. In truth, we do not “get over” a person’s death; we learn to live with it. Grief is not a problem we are trying to fix; it is an experience we are living. A child’s change in moods or expression of grief, even several years out from a significant death, is a normal part of adapting to this significant change in their world.
The following resources are available from TGRC to help interacting with kids about loss:
resources from our friends & partners
About Childhood Grief, from the National Alliance for Children's Grief
Helping Administrators Deal with Death, by Scott Poland
Reactions on Grief, Grief Care, and the Mighty River, an essay by Emerald LaFortune
Supporting Children Who Are Greiving A Death By Suicide, from the National Alliance for Children’s Grief Workgroup
Grief Books
A few books we open a lot…
“After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief,” by Bob Baugher and Jack Jordan
“Catching Your Breath in Grief,” by Thomas Attig
“Lessons of Loss: A Guide to Coping,” by Robert A. Neimeyer
“Why Do People Die? Helping Your Child Understand with Love and Illustration,” by Cynthia MacGregor
If more support would be helpful, please reach out: (406) 541-8472.