Reddit reviews Missing Mommy: A Book About Bereavement

I'm so sorry, but so glad for those kids that they have you under the circumstances. I'm sure this isn't a high priority right now, but once the kids get settled in, you might get some age-appropriate picture books to help them process their mother's death. For their ages, I recommend Missing Mommy (though you'll want to change the word "Daddy" to your own name when you read it) and I Miss You: A First Look at Death. Sesame Street offers some good online resources as well. I also HIGHLY recommend reading this PDF guide to talking with children about death. And of course, get some counseling support for them and for yourself. This is an incredible undertaking, and I just want to thank you on behalf of those kiddos.

This comment will be after the funeral, but for what it's worth, I took my two daughters to see my wife's body, and it was more upsetting for me. But my oldest was just 4 at the time, youngest 2. So I think the 9 yo is a different equation altogether. But it leads me to my answer to this - "For those single fathers who lost their partners, how did you stay strong for the children? " Well, the truth is the kids have been the motivation to stay strong in general. Again, it might be different with an older kid. But in the end, it's been about openness, honesty, grieving openly together. About 2 years in now, and still I feel I'm just at the beginning. The kids are doing great, but it is the older one that is confronted more often with feeling the reality of it emotionally. As for advice on what to do, I think it depends so much on the personalities involved. I have found that offers of help frustrate me for showing and highlighting my weekness and vulnerability, and can sometimes be intrusive. At the same time, when people withdraw or are just giving me space, I think they are cold and thoughtless. Perhaps understand that you might have to tread lightly, but perhaps an ongoing reminder that you're there to help, and picking up on subtle queues as to where that help might be welcome. Be there for the long haul. I think someone bugging me with a very quick and polite and unobtrusive concerning phone call or text or email once a week, that continues despite my wavering response and assertions that everything is OK - I think that would help. What a tough time for you and your cousin. We read this book a lot in the beginning .... not for everyone I'm sure, but maybe gently offer to buy it for the little one to read together with her dad? http://www.amazon.com/Missing-Mommy-Book-About-Bereavement/dp/0805095071/ It brought us a lot of tears, but helped us have something appropriate (albeit painful) to work through every night in the beginning.