Helping Your Children Deal with Loss in a Healthy Way

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Loss is a natural part of human life. However, it's not always easy to cope with, especially if you are inexperienced. Let’s take a very close look at how to help your children deal with loss in a healthy way.

Loss of a loved one

To start things off, the loss of a loved one is extremely tough to deal with. This could be an uncle, sibling, or childhood friend. As much as we hope that our loved ones are safe, accidents and the unexpected are bound to happen sooner or later. Initially, your child will likely be in shock. They might not know how to respond at all. You'll want to sit them down and go through the situation. It's a mistake to brush the loss aside and pretend it never happened. Ask them how they're feeling and what thoughts are going through their head. See how they have been sleeping and whether they've been preoccupied with their daily lives. It's all about thinking about the loss in moderation. Make a list of the accomplishments and best times of laughter with the loved one for you and your child to go over when needed.

Loss of a pet

Next in line, your children might not know how to cope with the loss of a pet. A pet that has been in the household for many years almost feels like an additional family member. In this case, brainstorm some of the fondest memories of the pet with your children. This will bring back good memories and bring as much positivity as possible to the loss. It's true that nothing can truly replace your child's favorite pet, but start to think about future pets and the direction of the household. You'll definitely want to bring joy to your child in some shape or form.

Sympathize with them

Dealing with loss is all about sympathy. If you can show your children that you are on the same page with them, it will be that much easier to get over the loss. Look for things that you have in common. Maybe you shared the same fond memories with the person. Maybe you are reminded of the loss by the same objects. In essence, you want to emphasize to your children that they are not alone. It's no secret that children and adults play widely different roles in society, and children can often feel isolated in this regard. They should be treated just like any other adult when it comes to a difficult loss. Grief and sorrow are common feelings among all humans.

Seek therapy

Last but not least, therapy should not be overlooked as a solution to the loss. No matter how much you try to implement all of the above, sometimes it is simply not enough. Your children might still be preoccupied with the loss and unable to focus on school or other activities. Grief is normal, but life must go on. Don't hesitate to seek out a therapist or doctor if these feelings linger. They'll be able to diagnose how your child is doing and console them in ways that you might lack experience. Professional help really does work and should be used as a last resort. In particular, some therapists specialize in children and helping them get back on their feet. It takes a little bit of patience, but there's always an avenue to getting over loss no matter how bleak things may seem. Look for an initial consultation over the phone and bring your children in for appointments as needed.

Right now, when all is said and done, these are some great ways to help your children deal with loss in a healthy way. The most important thing is moving on after the loss and not dwelling on the past. Try out a few of these approaches and give your children peace of mind!