Loss of a Loved One

Children see death differently. Once again, now is the time to talk about death with your child. This is a personal subject that has many views and religious significance. By talking about your families beliefs on the subject you can help lay a foundation for better understanding when it occurs. Remember that it is still a difficult concept for young children to grasp. Preschoolers typically see death as temporary and elementary school children often understand the concept but may believe that it won’t happen to them or any one they know. Children don’t just grieve the person, but the changes to the environment and family or friends.  Imagine a table, if you take away a leg the entire table is affected and unstable. This is how it is for children. It affects their entire world.

The Natural Reactions to the death of a loved one can be:

—       A belief that they may come back to life again
—       Immediate grief
—       Denial, shock, and confusion
—       Sadness
—       Anger – sometimes directed toward surviving members
—       Irritability
—       Inability to sleep
—       Nightmares
—       Loss of appetite
—       Physical complaints - headaches, stomache aches
—       Loss of concentration
—       Guilt – younger children may feel that they caused it and blame themselves
—       Depression
—       Regression
—       Excessively boisterous play (can be a manifestation of anger)
—       Withdrawal from friends
—       Repeated imitation of the deceased, or a desire to join them
—       Inventing games about dying

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/helping-children-cope-with-loss-resulting-from-war-or-terrorism