The fact is, when someone important dies in a child or teen’s life, they experience grief. Grief is a natural reaction to loss and includes a plethora of feelings and reactions. Just as all human beings are unique, so is their grief. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Children and teens grieve differently than adults.
Grief can bring about many different feelings such as anger, numbness, sadness, fear, worry and anxiety. Grief can also be felt in our bodies; in the form of stomachaches, headaches, difficulty with sleeping, eating, or just not feeling like doing the things we once enjoyed.
There are many reactions to grief and most reactions are normal for grieving kids.
Of course, there are helpful and not so helpful things kids can do while grieving. It is crucial to recognize the negative and potentially harmful ways that kids may be exhibiting their feelings as a result of their grief.
If you are concerned about how your child may be grieving, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your concerns with you.