Remembering Together: Helping Children Navigate Grief

As we approach the one-year mark of great loss from the flood, here are some tips to help you navigate the loss of a loved one with your family:

• Play!! Play is healing. So, it is important to get outside or stay inside and free play with your child. It doesn’t need to be organized but let the child choose the play: games, tossing the ball, doing a craft, or being imaginative! Be present and play with them!
• Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share some of your favorite memories and moments of the person that died.
• Have a time of sharing all the emotions: sad, angry, lonely, confused, etc. then don’t try to fix or push those emotions away but just sit in them for a moment in silence and say that you feel these things too.
• This is a great time to do a project in memory of the loved one:
  • Write a letter to the loved one
  • Draw a picture of memories or how you feel 
  • Make a memory box or scrapbook of photos and items 
  • Listen to music that reminds you of that person
  • Read “The invisible String” book
• Remember that all kinds of emotions may come at this time and may result in odd, different or difficult behavior. Be patient, empathize, and don’t try to fix it right away!

If you need more help for specific situations, don’t hesitate to reach out! Each person/child is unique, and these are general ways to remember, grieve, and process emotions that come up during this time!