Grief is a normal reaction to
a loss and loss to a child can be the death of a parent, grandparent, friend or
even a pet. Children also may feel
a loss when there is a divorce. Many
people are not aware that children go through the same stages of grief as adults
– denial, hostility, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Parents sometimes have difficulty dealing with or
understanding their children’s grief because they may be grieving themselves.
There are counseling and support groups that can help.
There are also books and websites with helpful information about the
grieving process.
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in
Belleville has a program called Kids Time – it is an eight week grief support
program for children ages 6-13. The
cost is ten dollars to cover materials. Call
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Pastoral Care Dept. 234-2120 – ext, 1091 for more
information.
When a Friend
Dies by Marilyn E. Gootman (Grades 7-12)
Helping
Children Cope with Death by The Doughy Center
What on Earth
Do You Do When Someone Dies? By Trevor Roman (Grades K-4)
Life and Loss
by Linda Goldman
A Child’s Grief Journey by Amy Jay Barry (Grades
K-5)
Don’t Despair on Thursday by Adolph Moser (Grades K-6)