Parenting Through Grief: Helping Your Child Navigate Loss

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Supporting Your Child Through Grief

Navigating the grieving process can be challenging for both parents and children. Here are a few effective strategies to foster healthy communication and coping skills.

Talk About It

Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings. Ask questions about how they are feeling and listen actively to their thoughts and emotions.

Model Healthy Coping

Demonstrate healthy ways to cope with grief, such as staying active and eating well. It's okay to be sad in front of your child. Share your own feelings to normalize the grieving process.

Maintain Routines

Keeping your daily routine can provide a sense of stability for your child. It's difficult, I know. Try to plan activities that bring joy and comfort. It really helps.

Seek Professional Support

Consider online grief counseling or grief therapy for you or your child. Grief counseling can help navigate complex emotions and provide tailored coping strategies.

Learn more about grief counseling

Be Patient and Understanding

Grief is a process that takes time. Be patient with your child’s emotions. Reassure them that it’s okay to feel sad or confused.

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating grief and loss is challenging, especially when supporting a child in pain. Many parents struggle to balance their emotions while guiding their children. In the following section, we address common questions and provide reassurance and guidance for this difficult journey.

  • How can I help my child express their feelings about grief?

    Be a safe and patient listener. Encourage them to talk, draw, write, or play – whatever feels right for them. Validate their feelings, even if they seem big or confusing. Let them know it's okay to feel sad, angry, or anything else.



  • What are the signs that my child is struggling with grief?

    Keep an eye out for changes in their behavior, like withdrawal, clinginess, changes in sleep or eating, increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, or a loss of interest in things they used to enjoy. Sometimes grief shows up in unexpected ways, like physical complaints or acting out.  

  • Should I talk to my child about death?

    Yes, absolutely. It's best to be honest and age-appropriate when talking about death with your child. Avoiding the topic can actually make it more frightening for them. Use simple, clear language and answer their questions truthfully, even the difficult ones.


    For example, if they ask, 'Mommy, where is daddy?' it's better to avoid saying something like, 'Daddy is sleeping.'


    Instead, you could gently explain in an honest, age-appropriate way: 'Daddy was very sick. Sometimes, when someone gets really sick, medicine can't help them anymore, and their body stops working. Daddy died, and he isn't coming home. But I'm here, and we'll help each other through this.'

    Being open like this helps them understand what has happened and feel included in the truth.

  • How can I support my teen who is grieving?

    Teens might grieve differently. Offer them space and understanding. Listen without judgment. Acknowledge their pain and let them know you're there for them. Respect their need for independence while still offering support. Sometimes just knowing you care is huge. If you need extra support, teen counseling might be worth looking into. We offer comprehensive online counseling sessions for adults, too. 

  • When should I seek professional help for my child?

    If you notice intense or prolonged sadness, difficulty functioning in daily life (school, friends, activities), persistent anxiety or anger, self-harming thoughts or behaviors, or if you're feeling overwhelmed in supporting them, it's a good time to reach out to a counselor who specializes in adolescent grief. There's no shame in getting extra support. Talk Remedy Online Counseling can help you and your teen with grief. No driving. You can do it all from home. Schedule a session or learn more about our services.