The child-griever club is not a very big club, and yet, big enough. 5% of children in the United States have lost one or both parents by age 15.

This episode is a reflection of a shared experience with griever, Lindsay, from episode 18. She lost a parent, her mother, at 13 months old. If you haven't listened to her episode, and episode 19 with Reena, check those out then come back to this one.

Aside from talking about child grief, and what you can do to support a grieving child you know (and more), I also share some nuggets of wisdom Reena shared from her episode, as well as my reflections around one of the most minimized losses - miscarriage.

Through loss, we learn so much about ourselves. We also have an opportunity to share, from experience, where we've struggled and where we've triumphed through grief.

Grief unites us all, regardless of the loss you've endured. And many of us, like Lindsay and myself, are faced later in life with a choice. We can either resist that which, literally, shaped who we'd become (due to childhood grief), or lean into it and create something good from it.

If you know a child griever in your life, here are six tips for offering support to a grieving child mentioned in this episode:

1. Listen with your heart, not your head. Allow the child to express all emotions without judgment, criticism, or analysis. 
2. Recognize that grief is emotional, not intellectual. Avoid asking "What's wrong?" Similarly to adults, children often respond with "Nothing."
3. You are the adult - go first. Tell the truth about your own grief. Additionally, don't try to compare your loss to theirs. 
4. Remember that each child is unique and each has a unique relationship to the loss event.
5. Be patient. Don't force them to talk. 
6. Never say "Don't feel sad, or "Don't feel scared." Sadness and fear are normal feelings following loss of any kind.  

Resources & References:

• 4-Week Helping Children with Loss Program

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• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.

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This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief.

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