The Grieving Child

Book excerpt: Making a Child's World Whole Again Explaining death to a child is one of the most difficult tasks a parent or other relative can face. The Grieving Child offers practical, compassionate advice for helping a child cope with the death of a parent or other loved one. Parents of children from preschool age to the teen years will find much-needed guidance, covering: • Helping a child visit the seriously ill or dying • Using language appropriate to a child's age level • Selecting useful books about death • Handling especially difficult situations, including murder and suicide • Deciding whether a child should attend a funeral With a new chapter devoted to the special issues of the bereaved toddler, The Grieving Child provides invaluable suggestions for dealing with a child's emotional responses (including anger, guilt, and depression) and helping a child adjust to a new life.