Christmas is coming.<\/p>\n
After a bereavement, plans about how to make THIS Christmas meaningful for kids are just as necessary as all the other seasonal preparations for parties, presents and paraphernalia. I have always felt strongly that, regardless of the circumstances, kids should have a Christmas.<\/p>\n
I think it goes back to my own childhood. My grandmother died after an accident with, of all things, a speeding bicycle. She sustained very serious head injuries, and despite several operations and hopes that she would survive, 12 days later, on December 24th, the call came to my mother that the end was near, and that she should go to the hospital, where that evening Granny died.<\/p>\n
That Christmas season, as you will well understand was not a very pleasant one for our family. Granny died on Christmas Eve, so all the excitement and the expectations we kids had over Christmas \u2026 the parties, the tree, the gifts, and all that goes to make the Christmas season special were dashed and disappointed. Of course, our disappointment over those things was nothing compared to the sadness of losing our Granny who had been a very special part of our lives. But nonetheless, as I reflect on it now, it was part of the mix, part of the total sense of upset and sadness that surrounded that situation. But what made it even worse for me, was that Christmas was never the same again. For whatever reason, my Mum never wanted a tree, or to make anything special out of the season. Oh we got presents Ok; but it was never a celebration. Which was a shame, because you only have so many Christmases as a kid and they ought to be special.<\/p>\n
Maybe that is why I always made a big fuss over it with my own family, and, truth be told, continue to do so to this day. Perhaps some of the bereaved families you are supporting this year have kids. The following suggestions may be helpful in making this Christmas meaningful for the kid\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n
Children of all ages are affected by ANY significant loss, and often very deeply, because their coping mechanisms are just developing. Any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve. But we need to ask ourselves the following question: What does THIS loss, mean to THIS child, at THIS time in their lives?<\/p>\n
When tragedy strikes, there is often anxiety about the impact upon, and the reactions of the children directly or indirectly involved. Many people instinctively shield children from pain and sorrow. We try to keep them from upsetting situations. We leave them at home when we go to visit a sick or dying relative in hospital. We send them to a friend\u2019s house when we go to a funeral.<\/p>\n
We talk about death in hushed voices, rationalizing that \u201cthis would be too much for them\u201d and \u201cthey are too young to understand.\u201d In fact they understand all to well. It is very important to acknowledge that children DO grieve, and should be encouraged to do so. Allowing them to express their grief helps children make sense of overwhelming fears and anxieties that may be evoked by a death or other significant loss. Having their grief validated gives children the assurance that they are not alone in their experience, and that they will be OK. To do this we must talk honestly with children, listen to their thoughts and questions, and support them through their own sense of personal loss. Children, from a very young age, know when something is wrong.<\/p>\n
They hear what is said, and are sensitive to disruptions in the household. They feel the distress of their parents and others, and are deeply affected by it. And when they discern that something is a secret that is being kept from them, they arrive at unjustified conclusions, such as that it is \u201ctheir fault\u201d.<\/p>\n
Behaviors: The experience and expression of grief in children may be different from adults, but it will be no less painful or severe. Children fear abandonment more than death. When children feel isolated, they tend to fall back on regressive behaviors: angry outbursts, irritability, changes in eating or sleeping patterns are common signs that a child is suffering. Because the child believes in magic, they may believe that if they wish hard enough, Mom will come back, and their anger is because they believe they were unable to reverse the effects.<\/p>\n
Some may even believe they are responsible for death somehow, and struggle with guilt. Because children cannot differentiate between a wish and a deed, they may recall a moment when they wished a parent would disappear, and rationalize that this wish has come true and they are to blame. Others may feel the person has \u201cgone away\u201d because they were bad, or unlovable. \uf0b7 Watch your child at play. Observe how they act with dolls or toys, as this often gives a clue to their feelings. Listen to the stories they make up in word or play. You can help by sharing stories and memories of the good times, and positive alternatives to any bad things they may remember.<\/p>\n
Christmas is coming. After a bereavement, plans about how to make THIS Christmas meaningful for kids are just as necessary as all the other seasonal preparations for parties, presents and paraphernalia. I have always felt strongly that, regardless of the circumstances, kids should have a Christmas. I think it goes back to my own childhood. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n