The first of its kind,
When Children Grieve teaches parents how to initiate in their children lifelong, healthy response patterns to grief and to empower them with effective methods for dealing with loss.
There are many life experiences that can produce feelings of grief in a child – everything from the death of a relative to a divorce to everyday experiences such as moving to a new neighborhood or losing a prized possession. No matter what the reason or the degree of severity, if a child you love is grieving, the guidelines examined in the book can make a difference.
For example:
- Listen with your heart, not your head. Allow all emotions to be expressed without judgment, criticism or analysis
- Recognize that grief is emotional, not intellectual. Thus, avoid the trap of asking your child what is wrong, because he or she will automatically say “nothing”.
- Adults – you go first. Telling the truth about your own grief will make your child feel safe about opening up, too.
- Remember that each of your children is unique and each has a unique relationship to the loss event.
- Be patient. Don’t force them to talk.
- Never say, ” Don’t feel sad” or “don’t feel scared”. Sadness and fear, the two most normal feelings attached to the loss of any kind, are essential to being human.
No matter what the journey involves,
witnessing the return of hope to a child’s life is one of the greatest gifts you can give to any child you love.
From the book. . When Children Grieve by John W James and Russell Friedman with Dr. Leslie Landon Matthews
Renew Your Possibility – As Children Grieve 6 week Study group
If you are interested in participating in the Renew Your Possibility – As Children Grieve 6 week Study group, sign up here. This is a complimentary study group that will require your commitment as it is educational and informative which will provide you productive tools that you will be able to use for the rest of your life and your children’s lives. I guarantee it.
To Renewing Your Possibility . .
Debbie Rosenfelt Grief Recovery Specialist®