Grief
Grief is the mix of all emotions (sad, angry, scared, confused, numb, even happy) that someone might feel as a result of a big change or loss. Some children who are coping with grief may show one or more of these behaviors: difficulties with sleep, a loss of appetite, a period of depression where they lose interest in daily activities or events, a fear of being alone, or acting much younger for an extended period of time. While grief is a normal reaction to change and loss, these behaviors may be worth paying attention to. Below we have included some resources and information to offer support for a grieving child.
Websites & Information
Grief Outloud Podcast by the Dougy Center
After a Loved One Dies: How Children Grieve and How Parents and Other Adults Can Support Them
National Alliance for Grieving Children
Developmental Stages in Response to Grief
Grief Support for Parents & Caregivers of a Grieving Child (Dougy Center)
Helping a Child When A Pet Dies
Picture Books About Death & Bereavement (Little Parachutes)
Grief & Bereavement Supports Directory
Grief resources (American Psychological Association)
Ten Tips for Supporting Grieving Children (Dougy Center)
Helping Children and Teens Cope (The Children's Room)
Children and Grief: What's Typical (The Children's Room)
Talking with Children and Teens about Death (The Children's Room)
Developmental Responses to Grief (Dougy Center)
Books for Children
Books for Parents
Videos
Child & Family Supports:
The Children’s Room
1210 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: 781-641-4741
info@childrensroom.org
Support groups for children, teens and parents:
Jeff’s Place
281 Pleasant Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: 508-879-2800
http://jeffsplacemetrowest.org/
HEARTplay
jwiles@gscommunitycare.org
508-309-5107
Good Shepherd Community Care
160 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
HEARTplay is a heart-centered bereavement program. Our mission is to support children, teens and young adults of all abilities and their families who are coping with the serious illness or death of an important person in their lives.
Camps:
Camp Erin
Camp Erin® Boston is a FREE bereavement camp for youth who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.
Comfort Zone Camp
http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/
Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement organization that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, primary caregiver, or significant person. Our programs are free of charge and include trust-building activities and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings.
Comfort Zone’s programs are offered to children ages 7-17, young adult for 18-25-year-olds, and separate parent and guardian programs.