Grief Causes, Signs, Treatment: Children, Adults, Teens. How to Cope With Grief (My child is grieving)

It is important to explain to your child that grief doesn't necessarily need to be continuous and that there might be sporadic moments of happiness and joy, and that it is okay to feel that way. They need to take a break from depressing feelings of grief.

It is very important to value the child's opinion. Yes, they are small children, but their voice counts too. So let them take part, for instance, in a funeral; let them participate in the choosing of a casket, flowers, etc.

Let them give a tribute to that person the way they see fit. They might want to write something for that person, that could be included in the service, for example. Don't let them feel left out.

Let your child talk and remember the person that died. That way he/she will heal faster. Let them keep something of the deceased person as memorabilia if they please. Do not make it taboo to talk about a deceased person.

Let your child talk if he/she wants to. Just sit there and be a good listener. That will help them get the negative stuff out of the system and help them heal.

Explain to your child all about the memorial service so that they can decide whether they would or would not participate. If they choose not to, then ask them whether they want to pay tribute to that person in a different way.

Children, like adults, grieve differently. Some may cry, some may not. Some may talk about the deceased person, some do not feel like talking. Either way, that does not mean that they suffer any less than ones who express their grief openly. So respect whichever style in which your child is grieving.

To ease the pain of your child, try these things out.