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How do children cope with loss? How can adults help them grieve well? Grief and loss as an adult is hard to manage, and is an entirely different concept for young children. Oftentimes the thought of death is just beyond comprehension for them. I was completely unprepared and unequipped when death abruptly assaulted our family. Not only had I very little first hand grief experience, my children were so young and never in the situation that needed much explanation. I discovered early on, and with the help of gifts from sweet friends, that books for grieving children was an excellent way to introduce the conversation in a way they could comprehend.
I have found that reading them books and providing literary resources helps tremendously. Hearing words from parents are one thing, but reading a book permeates the mind in a different way. Sometimes reading a child a book can give the adult the words that we can’t come up with on our own when describing very complex and heavy subjects. And when reading to the child, not only are they hearing comforting or clarifying words, but they are experiencing the quality time they need when the world feels so unsure.
I’ve mentioned before that grief is not a place you arrive at, more like something you will manage for the rest of your life. Consider investing in resources such as these to help your child understand as they grow! Their understanding of death and grief will change as their brain changes. (Read more about helping a child understand loss and insight how they may be thinking from this book).
We have built a pretty solid child grief book list so far! Each helps explain loss, grief, and heaven in a different way, and each kid prefers a different one. Keep scrolling for some of our favorite books for grieving children! Make sure you pin/save as I will continue to add to the list as our collection grows!
Shop Books for Grieving Children Here:
A Hug From Heaven by Anna Whitson-Donaldson
It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst
The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Goodbye to Goodbyes by Lauren Chandler
Sending Balloons to Heaven by Lindsey Coker Luckey
What is Heaven Like? by Beverly Lewis
Someday Heaven by Larry Libby
Shop all the books here.
Here are some other writings that might help:
The Remembering Room, where we keep all daddy’s things
Shop my outfit here.
Photos by Richard Alvarenga
The kids will turn out ok. Promise. 😉
I have mentioned this before, but consider introducing the subject of death and what happens when we die to your children before loss affects your family. It is easier for us to digest losing someone we love when we have an idea of where they are, rather that that event being the first introduction to it. Having a foundation helps build a little familiarity in a time that is so difficult and emotional.
Please consider sharing to help others who are looking for resources to help their children on their grief journey!
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Great post. It’s hard enough for adults to comprehend death. Thanks for the great references. As always, you are years wiser than your age and God has given you a beautiful calling. Blessings.
Thank you for the support Sharon!