As much as we’d love to protect our children from all the sadness in the world, sometimes it’s simply not possible. Grief can be one of the most difficult experiences for a young mind to navigate and as parents, guardians and caregivers, we naturally want to guide our children through loss.
In this blog, we want to offer some supportive and gentle grief advice for children to help you talk to your child about loss, understand how children and grief can look very different and find ways to bring comfort when words aren’t enough.
Create a Safe Space
Even as adults, we sometimes struggle to express our emotions during times of loss so it’s only natural that children do too. One of the best ways to help is by creating a safe, open environment.
That doesn’t mean building a blanket fort (although that can help too!). It means letting your child know that they’re free to talk about how they feel, completely without judgement or pressure. Encourage them to share their emotions, whether that’s sadness, confusion, anger, or even moments of laughter as they remember happier times.
By listening, validating their feelings and reassuring them that every part of their grieving process is okay, you help them begin to heal in their own time. When it comes to children and grief, openness is one of the best tools you can have.
Use Age-Appropriate Language
When it comes to talking to your children about grief, the key is to use language that’s simple but still honest. Try to avoid euphemisms like “gone to sleep” or “passed away,” as these terms can be confusing for young children and instead make them feel like their loved one may return.
Instead, calmy explain that while their loved one isn’t physically here anymore, they can still remember and talk about them. Reading stories or picture books about love, memory and loss can be incredibly helpful too as it gives children a way to relate to big emotions through something familiar.
Answer Questions Honestly
Children are naturally curious, and that curiosity doesn’t stop when they’re grieving. It’s why honesty is essential when it comes to children and grief. You may find yourself faced with difficult or unexpected questions but try to remember to answer them as honestly as you can, even if your answer is simply, “I don’t know.”
What matters most is your openness. Exploring those questions together can make your child feel safe and supported. It also reassures them that grief, while painful, is something they can talk about freely.
Incorporate Creative Outlets
Children often express feelings better through creativity than conversation. Art, writing, storytelling, music and play can all help children process their emotions.
You might try drawing memories together, creating a “memory box” filled with photos and keepsakes, or even helping them design something symbolic to keep close like children’s memorial jewellery. Encouraging creativity gives children that are grieving a safe, expressive outlet for feelings that can be hard to put into words.
Seek Professional Support
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, grief can feel too heavy for a child to manage alone. Know that this isn’t because you’ve done anything wrong, or said the wrong thing; it’s simply that sometimes children and grief need a little extra helping hand.
If your child shows ongoing sadness, anxiety or withdrawal, it may help to seek professional support. Look for a counsellor or child psychologist who specialises in children and grief so they can offer gentle, age-appropriate guidance and coping strategies. There’s absolutely no shame in asking for grief help; in fact, it can be one of the kindest things you do for your child.
Help Them Carry Their Loved One With Them
And finally, it’s not just adults who need to feel close to those they’ve lost. In the same way they find comfort holding their favourite soft toy close, children can also benefit greatly from having something tangible to hold onto that reminds them of the person or pet they’re missing.
Our range of children’s memorial jewellery has been thoughtfully created to help little ones hold onto love in a way that’s meaningful and personal. Whether it’s one of our engraved charms to go on an existing bracelet or one of our personalised memorial necklaces for children, these stunning keepsakes are a beautiful way for them to proudly wear a real part of their loved one.
Our Engraved Stretch Bracelets for children are one of our most comforting pieces. Each bracelet is made with a soft, stretchy fabric band which is perfect for smaller wrists and features a heart charm in silver or rose gold. Every charm can be engraved with something extremely personal, whether that’s a pawprint or nose print of a beloved pet, a fingerprint or handprint of a loved one, handwriting, a special message, or even a small illustration.
These little keepsakes are a beautiful way for children to feel connected and to carry a piece of someone they love wherever they go.
Children and Grief: Every Child’s Experience is Unique
While we hope our advice on children and grief has helped, just remember that every child’s experience with grief is different. Some may want to talk about their loved one constantly; others may prefer to keep their feelings private. Some will cry openly, while others may act out or seem unfazed for a while.
Remind yourself that there is no right or wrong way for children to grieve, only their way. The best thing you can do is offer love, patience and understanding, giving them a safe space to heal and discuss their feelings when they’re ready.
And if something tangible helps them hold on to their memories, whether it’s children’s memorial jewellery, a family tradition you continue with or a special place to remember, that’s perfectly okay too.
