This can be one of the most challenging situations for a parent or caregiver to experience with their child.  Unfortunately we cannot hide this from our children nor shield them from the pain.  Grief is a process we need to work through and experience.  It isn’t something to simply “get over” and the hurt can last a long, long time.  We all grieve in different ways, and for different amount of times.  Here are some resources that may able to support you, your child or loved one during this difficult and painful time.

1. Trauma-Proofing Your Kids: A Parents’ Guide for Instilling Confidence, Joy and Resilience

This book is written by Dr Peter Levine and Maggie Kline.  Please read the chapter on Separation, Divorce and Death: Helping Your Child Move Through the Grieving Process click on this link Levin & Kline. (2008). Trauma-Poofing Your Kids. Chapter VIII – Separation, Divorce and Death

Book available to purchase here

2. When Families Grieve by Sesame Street Workshop

You can download this workbook and more support for grieving families from the following site https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/grief/?ytid=3ihSoLsakiE or click here to go straight to the workbook https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/When_Families_Grieve_Guide.pdf

3. The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada

For an abundance of resources please look at this website https://childrensgrieffoundation.org/resources/ 

including images such as

4. After a Loved One Dies— How Children Grieve and How Parents and Other Adults Can Support Them

This guide is written by David J. Schonfeld and Marcia Quackenbush and can be downloaded at this link https://grievingstudents.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/4451_0422_Foundation_After_Loved_one_dies_brochure_2022_update_v9_INT.pdf

5. Talking to your child about suicide

Please watch this video by Nancy Rappaport and The Child Mind Institute on talking to children about suicide below.  The link is taken from https://youtu.be/iwh8fdpHfac