Reddit reviews When Children Grieve: For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses
We found 1 Reddit comments about When Children Grieve: For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Contrary to some of the other advice, I recommend you don't lie to them. Don't pretend to be something you're not. If you're not sad, don't pretend to be. If you ARE sad, don't pretend that you AREN'T. Don't tell them that "she's gone to be with angels" if you don't believe that, don't avoid telling them if you DO.
I recommend the book When Children Grieve, by John James and Russell Freedman. It's for adults (you) to help children (your children) to deal with losses. Buy it soon, read it soon. You won't read it to them, but you'll take their advice on how to help them grieve.
Above all, allow them to grieve. Allow them to work through the grief, but also don't pretend like the loss never happened. "Stiff upper lip", don't let them see you cry, all that is pretty much bullshit. People are going to be sad, it's much better to be sad for an appropriate time than to pretend like you're not forever. Don't also try to minimize the loss ('well, you still have another grandmother!"). That doesn't change the fact that they're losing one.
Source: my wife died, I had to lead 4 kids through grieving while doing it myself.