Blog-Helping Kids

Most parents are overprotective when it comes to bringing their children to terms with the idea of death. But that doesn’t mean that children should be left out of the last rites of a beloved family member and be expected to learn to handle their emotions on their own as they grow older. 

It is crucial that parents educate their children about the concept of death at an early age. Teaching them gradually about the physical and emotional aspects of death will enable them to handle their grief better, even as adults later in life. It also makes them feel involved and responsible.

When attending a funeral service, the child must know the etiquette that he or she is expected to follow. Teaching a child to be respectful at a funeral is very important, not just for that particular day but also for molding the child’s personality as an empathetic individual.

Talk to your child about what to expect at a funeral. If your child has never been to one, he or she may not know what exactly happens at a funeral service. It is essential that children know who will be in attendance and what events will be held during the service. Taking them to a funeral without any prior knowledge may be a little overwhelming for children.

Once they know what to expect, discuss what is expected of them at the funeral. Tell them how they're supposed to dress for it and how they're meant to behave. Tell them that they should not be loud while talking and shouldn't run around the place. Teach them to be respectful to the deceased and the family as well.

More importantly, set an example for your children by showing them how to behave appropriately since children learn better by following your lead rather than instructions.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

As humans, we tend to avoid talking about topics that make us upset, which is why talking to children about death is so difficult for adults. On top of this, we do not know all the answers when it comes to death which makes explaining the concept to kids so challenging. You want to tell your child what exactly happens after people die and whether he/she will ever see them again, but you do not know for sure.

Explaining death to children may be difficult, but you will certainly have to do it at some point. Especially if a loved one has died, children are more likely to have plenty of questions about death. Here are some tips to help you answer these questions about death:

• Just tell them the truth directly

If you have lost a loved one, you will be grieving. Explain to your child what has happened instead of beating around the bush and making up stories. Telling the truth directly helps them understand why you are in pain as well.

• Make sure that you use the words “dead” and/or “died”

It’s common for parents to use phrases like 'passed away', or 'went to sleep', or 'crossed over' while explaining death to kids. Sometimes this just confuses them even more. Besides, research shows that using realistic words like “dead” and “died” has been shown to help kids in the grieving process.

• Be honest and don’t hesitate to admit what you don’t know

You won’t have the answers to all the questions that your child asks, and at such times, it’s okay to reveal the fact that you don’t know. Admitting that you don’t know something helps children understand that death is an elusive topic that is, often times, hard to process even for adults.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Today, parents want to shield their children and offer protection from the world. This might include boredom, losing, suffering the consequences of their own actions, and also rituals of life and death such as funerals. Many parents think that children should not be allowed to attend funerals as they believe it is simply too much for them to handle. As such, youngsters are often barred from funerals of their dear ones, even if they express their wish to be present.

It is true that funerals can indeed be confusing and harrowing for children, especially if it is not planned properly or the child is not given an explanation of what exactly is going on. However, it is also true that when done right, funerals can be an important experience for kids, helping them understand death as a concept and thus allowing them to mourn properly.

Here are a few things that adults must keep in mind when it comes to kids and funerals:

• Explain carefully what a funeral is to the child

First, it’s important that the child knows the purpose of a funeral. Tell them what to expect, what rituals are involved, and how people may react. Once they understand funerals as a concept, it becomes easier for them to decide if they want to be a part of them.

• Make the child decide for themselves

This is the most important part. Adults must allow kids to choose for themselves. Once you carefully explain to them everything they should expect, leave it up to the child to decide if they want to attend a funeral or not.

• Funerals offer a chance to say goodbye

It’s important to realize that funerals can be therapeutic for people who have lost a loved one since they offer a physical, tangible point of farewell. This allows you to mourn in a healthy manner.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Children are sensitive beings who express emotions differently compared to adults. When they lose a loved one, children show grief in different ways depending on their age, circumstances, and how close they were to the person who passed away.

If your child has lost a loved one, it is important for you to stay by their side and offer support in any way possible. Here are some ways to help a child cope during times of grief.

1. Talk to your child about death and explain things using simple words and terms. Approach the subject rationally but show your little one you care. If you are breaking the bad news to them, be direct but give them time to analyze what you just said.

2. Different children react differently to the news of a loved one passing away. Some children cry while others are curious and ask questions. Stay by your child's side and watch how they react. Offer reassurance, hold them, and answer any questions they may have. If your child does not react at all, do not force them to say something. Let them be but stay by their side.

3. In most cases, the death of a close family member means that there could be changes your child should expect, such as not being able to visit Grandma again. Explain the situation to him or her and tell them of the changes they will start noticing shortly.

4. Speak to your child about last rites and funerals. Allow them to participate in memorial services. It is wise to inform them that a funeral will take place and explain what happens during one. Explain some details of cremation or burial if necessary.

As days pass following the loved one’s death, encourage your child to talk about that person and make sure he or she remembers them. Do not shy away from discussing the person who passed away. While taking care of your little one also make sure that you have enough time and space to allow yourself to grieve.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Death of a loved one, whether a parent, a partner, a child, sibling or friend, is never an easy experience for anyone. Especially for young children who may not yet completely comprehend the meaning of loss and grief, it may be a difficult and confusing experience. However, loss and grief are both parts of our life, and we must know how to cope effectively.

For children, it may be easier for them to understand and accept their loss through tangible ways. They need a physical way to say goodbye. So, here are some creative activities to help them cope with the loss of a loved one.

Create a memory box to preserve their memory

You can help the child make a special box which will hold small objects that remind them of their loved one. Objects inside the box can include pictures, necklaces, rings, perfume bottles, watch, or any other belonging. Give them the creative freedom to decorate the box however they want to.

Encourage them to share their experiences in the form of stories

You should encourage the child to express their feelings about the loss. Since this may be difficult since they are only kids, one way to make it easier for them is to allow them to express their experiences in a story form. To grieve in a healthy manner, they should be able to adjust to their life, and for this, they need to share their feelings.

Encourage them to share their experiences in the form of letters

Another way for the child to express his or her feelings is by writing a letter to someone, talking about the deceased – how much they miss them, what they miss the most about them, and even the things they wish they could say to them.

Thanks for reading,

Karen