When someone your child cares about dies, it’s normal for him or her to experience a wide range of emotions. One day your kid may feel sad and the next day feel angry. Death can be a very scary and confusing ordeal to a child, so it’s vital to be there for your little one and possibly take him or her to see a therapist. Here are several tips on helping your child cope with grief.

Encourage Your Child to Talk About Feelings

Keeping feelings bottled up inside isn’t healthy and will just prolong the grieving process. That’s why you should persuade your little one to express his or her feelings as much as possible. Reassure your child that it’s normal to feel sad, angry, and confused and that talking about those feelings can help relieve stress. Additionally, consider having your child talk to a professional therapist about these feelings.

Help Your Child Remember the Person

To help your child remember the person who died, a therapist recommends sharing memories of the person and having your little one draw pictures and write stories about him or her. Remembering happy memories will help your child heal faster.

Take Your Child to the Funeral

Letting your child attend the funeral is a critical part of the grieving process. Before the service, explain to your child what will happen. For instance, you could tell your little one that many people will come together to talk about your loved one’s life and share fond memories.

If your child is having trouble coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, consider taking him or her to see a therapist. Colleen Torrence, MEd, LPC has over 15 years of experience as a licensed professional family counselor and treats individuals who experience trauma, depression, grief, anxiety, and other issues. She treats many young children in the Juneau, AK, region and treats them with the utmost patience and compassion. To schedule an appointment with this counselor, call (907) 789-9212 or visit her website for more information about her services.