Grief can be a heavy burden for children, especially when they experience the loss of someone close to them. The feelings that come with such a loss—sadness, confusion, anger, and loneliness—are difficult for young ones to understand and process. But while grief can feel all-consuming, it’s important to help children see that hope can coexist with pain. There’s always the possibility of light shining through, even in the darkest moments.
Helping children find hope after loss isn’t about pretending that everything is okay or rushing through their grief. Instead, it’s about guiding them through the emotional landscape and teaching them that while pain is part of the journey, so is healing. Here’s how you can help your child find that light:
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Create a Safe Space for Feelings
Let your child know that it’s okay to feel sad, angry, confused, or even scared. Encourage them to express their emotions in their own way—whether it’s through drawing, writing, or talking about their feelings. The more children feel heard and understood, the easier it is for them to begin to heal. -
Encourage Them to Remember and Celebrate the Loved One
Grief isn’t just about loss; it’s also about remembering the love and joy that the person brought into their lives. Help your child celebrate the memories they shared with their loved one. You might encourage them to create a memory box, plant a tree in their honor, or write letters to express their thoughts. This can help them feel connected to the one they’ve lost, which can bring a sense of peace. -
Share Stories of Hope and Healing
Sometimes, a story can provide the spark of hope that children need. In many ways, stories of others who have overcome loss can give children a sense of strength and resilience. Books like Jurni can offer a relatable narrative that shows how a child’s journey through grief can lead to personal growth and healing. Reading stories together can also encourage important conversations about feelings, coping strategies, and the importance of hope. -
Focus on Small Steps Toward Healing
When dealing with grief, it can feel like progress is slow, and that’s okay. Help children understand that healing is a process, and it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Encourage them to take small steps—whether it’s playing a favorite game, spending time with friends, or trying out a new activity. Each small act can help bring back a sense of normalcy and joy, slowly building towards a brighter future. -
Model Hope and Resilience
Children look to the adults around them for cues on how to respond to difficult situations. By modeling hope, resilience, and positivity, you can help your child adopt these same qualities. Talk about your own experiences with overcoming challenges and the ways you’ve found hope, whether through relationships, activities, or even spiritual practices. Your child will learn that hope isn’t something that just magically appears—it’s something we create together. -
Provide Support and Professional Help When Needed
Sometimes, grief can be so overwhelming that kids need extra help processing their emotions. If your child seems stuck in their grief or is having difficulty moving forward, it might be helpful to seek professional support from a counselor or therapist who specializes in grief. They can provide tools and strategies that can help children better understand and manage their grief.
Final Thoughts:
Hope doesn’t mean the absence of sadness; it means learning to hold both the pain and the possibility of healing. By helping children see that even in the darkest times, there is always room for hope, we teach them an invaluable life lesson: they are capable of navigating grief and finding joy again, even when it feels impossible.
Helpful Resources for Parents and Caregivers:
- Eluna Network: www.elunanetwork.org
- National Alliance for Grieving Children (NACG): www.grievingchildren.org
- Grief Encounter: www.griefencounter.org.uk Provides support and resources for grieving children, young people, and their families.
- National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB): www.schoolcrisiscenter.org Specializes in helping schools and families navigate the challenges of grief and crisis.
- Camp Erin: www.elunanetwork.org/camps-programs/camp-erin A national network of free bereavement camps for children and teens who have experienced the death of a loved one.
- The Good Grief Trust: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org Connects people of all ages to bereavement resources and support networks in their area.
- Hope Again: www.hopeagain.org.uk A website by young people for young people, offering advice, support, and personal stories about dealing with loss.
- Child Mind Institute: www.childmind.org Features articles and guides to help parents and caregivers support kids dealing with grief and loss.
- The Dougy Center: www.dougy.org
- Comfort Zone Camps: www.comfortzonecamp.org
- Children’s Bereavement Center: www.childbereavement.org
- The Center for Grieving Children: www.cgcmaine.org
- The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing: www.wendtcenter.org
At Jurni, we're working to bring these themes of grief, healing, and hope to life through an animated short film inspired by our story. If you’d like to support this project, please visit our Kickstarter campaign or learn more on the Jurni website. Together, we can create something meaningful for families navigating their own journeys.