Palak Vyas

You can take the following points into consideration while handling and dealing with a child whose loved one has died in the family: <ul><li>Talk straight and clear but with care and compassion. For example, if you want to disclose that the child’s grandpa has died, tell them, “I have some bad news for you, your grandpa died yesterday night due to a heart attack”. Take a pause; let the child understand what it means.</li><li>On hearing such news, different kids may have different reactions. Some children go silent, some might ask questions and some might even start crying. Be sure to stay around and in case you can’t be around, hand over your child to someone who is close to him/her like. Give them warm hugs and cuddle with them if they feel like. Give them some time.</li><li>If your child is old enough to understand, you can explain to him/her the reason behind the death, for example, if grandpa died due to heart attack, explain that people can die of physical illness. When their heart stops working they can die.</li><li>Prepare your child beforehand about things that are about to happen. For example prepare them for funerals, burials, and people coming for prayers and condolences. Let them have some idea about what they can expect for a few days in the family and in the house.</li><li>Talk about rituals and what happens during that ritual. How are people going to greet or what they might say, “My condolences or I am sorry for your loss are a few polite words people may say. We should thank them for coming”.</li><li>Give them time to heal for the loss and during that time stay around and make them comfortable to express in whatever ways they want.</li><li>Help your child to feel better by remembering the dead loved one and their happy stories with the child.</li><li>Make your child realise that death is irreversible, people don’t come back once they die. But we can always cherish their memories.</li><li>To explain the concept of death, take some examples from nature’s cycle. Show them some dead butterfly on the porch or some dead plant and explain how this dead animal or plant can’t take any food or water. Likewise, tell them that dead people can’t breathe, can’t take food or water and they won’t be around us anymore.</li><li>Do not try to protect your child from pain. Tell them the truth. When you explain it clearly, with care and compassion, they learn to deal with it gradually.</li><li>If you feel that your child is not coping after your many efforts, you can take them to a counsellor, who can certainly help your child.</li></ul>

Such times can be very difficult with a little one around. It is important to take their feelings into consideration.

handling child after death in the family

Death in the family are difficult times. Calm your child by talking to them as much as you can. Read the article to know more.

Handling a child when someone passes away in the family

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