Grieving is a very personal experience and many of us will find that we deal with grief in very different ways. This of course,  is the same for children.

 If a family has suffered the loss of a family member, friend or even a beloved pet, it is important that parents allow their children to grieve in their individual ways. Some will be overt in their grief, whilst others may appear as if nothing has changed. What is most important for any person who is grieving, is to have that grief acknowledged, and for them to be provided with a safe environment to deal with their emotions in a way that best meets their needs.

In the past, children were often shielded from being involved in a families grieving process, and this I believe must only have left them feeling fearful, confused and isolated.  Children instead should be allowed to see your grief and display their own, to hear your cries and cry their own tears.  [Read more...]