Grief and Loss
Whether it be a family member leaving or passing away, a pet dying, or even moving house. It is important to remember that grief is a natural response to loss, and we all experience grief differently. Grief can impact our physical and emotional wellbeing and children may struggle to communicate how they are feeling.
Children may become: defiant or overly compliant, clingy, anxious, or distressed, easily distracted or forgetful, irritable or restless. Spending time listening and helping them to process their feelings can be a big help. Consider making a memory box or photo collection with your child to capture the good memories amongst the grief.
The Small Creature
Resources to help:
Christchurch City Library – Books to Help
A list of books to help support children and teens who are grieving
Bereavement Reactions Of Children & Young People By Age Group
Information to help understand how toddlers, children and teens grieve
Death: how to talk about it with children
Advice for when talking with children about the death of someone
How to talk about: The death of a pet
An article on how to talk to your child about the death of a pet
Supporting a child through grief and loss
Ideas on how to support children through grief
It’s Time We Reframe Grief for Children | Kate Atwood | TEDxBigSky
Kate Atwood’s TEDx talk on reframing grief
