Navigating the Landscape of Childhood Grief: Understanding and Supporting Our Young Ones
Grief, a complex emotional pain we face when something we cherish is taken away, manifests uniquely in everyone, particularly children and teenagers. These young individuals may encounter this profound sorrow due to a plethora of life events, such as the loss of a loved one, parental divorce, the passing of a pet, the departure of friends, or transitioning to a new school or place of residence.
When immersed in grief, children and adolescents may cycle through various emotions, including anger, sorrow, guilt, confusion, shock, numbness, desperation, or longing. It's crucial to understand that the grieving process in children and adolescents differs from that of adults. For instance, their grief might come in 'waves'—intense bouts of apparent mourning followed by periods of seeming indifference. Moreover, young ones might suppress their grief to shield their grieving parents or loved ones. Younger children might be perturbed or puzzled by the grief exhibited by their family members. A heightened need for safety and connection is also common during these difficult times, manifesting as anger outbursts, deteriorating school performance, regressive or disruptive behaviour, or even physical complaints like stomach aches.
Communication is vital during loss, helping children and adolescents adapt and learn critical coping skills for future losses. Parents and guardians are responsible for providing open, honest, and direct dialogues about death, giving space to children's inquiries, thoughts, feelings, and concerns regarding the upheavals in their lives.
At times, the demise of a known individual may spur anxiety about the death of other close ones or even their own mortality. Children may become more clingy and fearful of separation from their caregivers. In such scenarios, grief can give rise to additional concerns.
Parents must remember to care for themselves while navigating their child's grief journey, as their own well-being is crucial for providing emotional support to their children. Informing teachers and other caregivers about the child's situation can prepare the child for possible questions or comments from others.
Supporting Childhood Grief: The Role of Professional Assistance
There might be situations where professional help can better support your child through their grief journey. This could be necessary if their grief persists, they express thoughts of engaging in unsafe behaviours, excessively worry about their own safety or that of their caregivers, or exhibit difficulty in separating from their parents in situations where they were previously comfortable.
How Can Grief Support Benefit Parents?
Grief support can equip parents to:
Understand how children at different developmental stages experience grief, aiding in their support.
Anticipate and constructively respond to their child's potential questions.
Maintain routine and structure to foster a sense of safety and security while devising new rituals for significant events like birthdays and anniversaries.
Reflect on how their emotional responses may impact their parenting and, consequently, their child.
Develop a robust support system and prioritise self-care.
Encourage open and effective communication with their child, allowing them to express their feelings without fear of burdening others.
How Can Grief Therapy Benefit Children and Teenagers?
How Can Grief Therapy Benefit Children and Teenagers?
Therapeutic intervention can help children and adolescents to:
Realize that grief is a normal process and the intense feelings will eventually subside.
Manage their anxieties and adapt to changes associated with death.
Express their grief diversely and maintain connections with the deceased loved ones.
Share their emotions without worrying about overburdening others who are also grieving.
Understand and control their feelings using adaptive coping strategies.
To learn more about our approach to grief therapy for children or to schedule an appointment, please reach out to us via email or call us at 08 9520 6129.
