How to Help a Grieving Child
When we think about grief, we often picture it as something that happens to adults. But for children, grief is real, and knowing how to navigate this adult emotion in a child’s mind can be difficult, scary, and lonely.
This Children's Grief Awareness Day, we want to support you as a parent to better recognize grief in children and find tools to support them through it.
What is Children’s Grief Awareness Day?
Children's Grief Awareness Day, observed each year on the third Thursday in November, is a time dedicated to raising awareness of the needs and unique experiences of grieving children. Established by the Highmark Caring Place in 2008, this day brings communities, schools, and families together to recognize how deeply a loss affects young people.
Many grieving children feel isolated, misunderstood, or even invisible to those around them, making support from both their peers and adults vital. The day serves as a reminder to reach out, provide that support, and educate others about the profound, lasting impact of grief on children’s lives. You can learn more about Children's Grief Awareness Day, including how to get involved, from the official site linked above.
Why Grief is Different for Children
Children experience grief in unique ways. They may not have the words to explain their feelings, so grief can often show up in behaviors, attitudes, or even physical symptoms. Unlike adults, kids might not process grief continuously. Instead, they may go through “grief bursts”—short episodes of sadness or anger that come and go.
Kids Process Grief in Phases
Children process emotions differently depending on their age, personality, and life circumstances. It’s possible that young children may not understand that death is permanent and could repeatedly ask if the loved one will come back.
As they grow, school-aged children can begin to grasp the reality of loss but may express it by becoming withdrawn, having a change in behavior, or struggling in school. Meanwhile, teenagers are more likely to understand loss in the way adults do, but they may keep emotions hidden to avoid standing out among friends.
You can best help your child at any stage by being aware of any changes in their behavior, normalizing grief responses, and seeking support if your child(ren) needs more structure around their grieving process.
How Can You Tell if a Child is Grieving?
Since children may not talk about their grief, it helps to watch for changes in behavior or mood. Here are some signs to look for:
Increased Clinginess: Some children become more attached to family members or toys.
Behavioral Changes: This can include outbursts, mood swings, or uncharacteristic defiance.
Regression: A child might start bedwetting again or revert to behaviors they’d outgrown.
Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomachaches, and other complaints can sometimes indicate emotional pain.
Withdrawing from Activities: A child grieving a significant loss may lose interest in play or friendships.
Recognizing these signs doesn’t mean every shift in behavior is grief-related. But if these changes persist, seeking out counseling for kids can be a step toward understanding what they’re going through.
How Counseling Can Help Grieving Kids and Their Parents
Counseling offers children a safe place to express grief in a way they may not feel comfortable doing elsewhere. Therapists trained in child development know how to help kids unpack their feelings at their own pace, using age-appropriate methods. Here’s how North Texas counseling for kids and families can help:
Building Emotional Awareness
In therapy, children learn to recognize and name their emotions, which is especially helpful when they don’t have the words for their grief. Play therapy or art activities can give kids a way to share what they’re feeling without needing to explain it fully.Providing Safe Spaces for Expression
A therapist’s office is a confidential space where children are encouraged to be themselves without fear of judgment. For many kids, knowing they have this space gives them permission to express thoughts and fears they might hide from family members.Supporting Healthy Coping Skills
When children face loss, learning to manage their feelings early on can have lasting benefits. Through counseling, kids can develop coping strategies that help them handle big emotions in constructive ways—skills that support them well into adulthood.Helping Parents and Caregivers Too
Therapy can help parents understand the needs of grieving children and provide practical tools to support them. By working together, parents and therapists create a more understanding environment at home, allowing kids to navigate their grief in healthy ways.
What if Your Child Doesn’t Want to Talk About Their Grief?
Many children resist discussing difficult emotions, and that’s okay. It’s often helpful to approach conversations naturally, offering chances to share feelings without forcing them. Simple statements like, “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes” or “I’m here whenever you want to talk” can open doors for kids to share when they’re ready.
When a child shows hesitation, sometimes the best approach is to reach out for professional support. Counseling for kids introduces therapeutic tools that allow children to explore grief at their own pace, and in a way that feels safe to them.
How to Support a Grieving Child at Home
Creating a supportive home environment is one of the best ways to help a child process grief. Some ideas to support your child include:
Maintain Routines: Familiar activities offer security and comfort.
Encourage Expression Through Art: Drawing or writing can be powerful outlets for kids.
Listen More, Talk Less: Letting kids lead conversations about their feelings can empower them.
Model Grieving as Normal: Share your emotions in appropriate ways to show that it’s okay to feel sad and miss someone.
Despite the urge you may have to put on a brave face, there is evidence that letting your child see how you’re feeling can help reduce the negative impact on their wellbeing. If children feel that the adults around them are coping with grief as well, they may worry about causing additional distress and try to “hold it in.”
Finding Help in North Texas for Grieving Children
If you notice your child struggling with grief, know that you’re not alone. At North Texas Adult & Child Counseling Center, we’re here to help you navigate whatever you’re going through. In this safe space, your child can work through grief in ways that protect their childhood and nurture their emotional health.
Children’s Grief Awareness Day brings attention to the struggles young people face with loss, but the support doesn’t have to end there. By helping kids process grief early on through human support or animal-assisted therapy, we can foster resilience, compassion, and strength—traits that benefit them throughout their lives.
