Create A Support Group
If the loss is of a friend, ask them to create a support group. The grief is amplified if the person is unfortunately of their age group or a friend. They may even begin to feel guilty and responsible. This is extremely dangerous and it is very important to make them feel safe.
Encourage your child to organize a memorial, invite everyone affected and talk. When they see similar people going through the pain and loss, it helps them and this gives them a support system during hard times
Encourage Them To Celebrate The Life Of The Loved One
Going back to personal experience, my daughter was attached to her grandfather and his loss affected her a lot. The advice I had for her was, ‘Live your life in a way, he would have been proud of, realize the dreams he visualized for you, which is what he would have wanted you to remember him by.’ These words had an effect on her. She now wants to keep his hobbies alive.
I learnt that teens have a sense of responsibility and we need to find ways to nurture it.
We as a family are slowly adjusting to our new environment learning our lessons every day and helping each other. A support system is extremely important to growing children and it is important they know that their parents are available for them to fall back on.
