Let’s talk about How To Support Your Kids Through The Loss Of A Grandparent
Losing a grandparent is one of the first heartbreaks that most youngsters ever experience. Your job as a parent is to help them through this while simultaneously handling your own grief.
While your maternal instincts will naturally kick in, it helps to feel organised at this time. Here are six of the best ways to support your kids at this time.
1- Free Up Your Time
Above all else, kids need to feel your presence at this time. Taking off some time from work is a crucial first step that also gives you time to process your grief. Getting professional support with the send-off arrangements is also vital. Finding a funeral home near me allows you to organise the right send-off. The fact it removes stress while also saving you a lot of time means you can pay more attention to your kids too.
2- Talk To Them
Experiencing death for the first time can completely shatter a child’s life. They probably don’t know how to process what has happened. Talking to them about death is essential. It requires a calm and comforting approach. It’s important to be honest about the fact that their grandparent is gone forever, but you should still show a soft side. Try to emphasise that the cherished memories will live on forever.
3- Listen
Talking to kids is an important step towards guiding them through grief. However, it’s equally vital that you are there to listen. Your child might not open up right away. When they are, though, active listening allows you to understand more about how they are truly feeling. In turn, you can adjust your responses accordingly in a bid to help them reach the best possible outcome. Letting their sadness out instantly comforts kids.
4- Maintain Routine
Losing a grandparent can leave kids feeling like life is over, especially if they shared a close connection. So, you need to show that many of the positive features in their life will remain. Kids may need a little time off school to process the initial pain. However, getting back to school and social clubs is beneficial. Young children are resilient. Allow them to keep living their lives, and they will be back to thriving in no time.
5- Arrange Some Treats
It might not feel like a time for celebrating. However, the loss of a loved one brings a lot of sadness into your world. Looking for a day out at a local attraction near me can restore a sense of balance. Moreover, it is a chance for you all to temporarily take yourselves away from the sadness while creating positive memories. Besides, the dearly departed would want nothing more than to know that their child and grandchild are OK.
6- Remember Their Grandparent Together
The age of your child will determine how it manifests, but remembering your loved one is vital. Some examples are drawing pictures, creating photo slideshows, or writing a poem. You may then want to create a small memorial in the garden or take the items to decorate their headstone. Either way, a conscious effort to remember your loved one as a family is one of the most effective steps.
