Helping Children in Times of Need: Grief, Loss, Separation & Divorce. A Handbook for Parents Assisting Children through Grief and Loss.

Although a world of uncertainty and continual change is difficult to explain to children, by exploring and discussing the process of grief, parents can begin to understand the significance and necessity of the grief process and help their children to cope with difficult events. This booklet offers parents advice on how to talk with children about difficult events, including the death of a family member, significant adult, or a pet; moving from home or to a different school; marital separation and divorce; and issues faced by displaced and refugee children. The booklet differentiates loss, grief, and bereavement, and describes possible immediate and later reactions to loss, emphasizing that extreme loss is a family crisis and that young children may not understand that a loss is final. Parents are encouraged to use clear language explaining the loss event and cultural practices around it to avoid confusion, fear, or guilt in the child. The importance of expressing feelings and talking about the loss at home is emphasized. The booklet describes the predictable and normal reactions to a loss through death for children from birth to 12 years as well as the stages of parent and child change following a marital separation. Throughout the booklet, various observations and stories illustrate ways to help children cope with loss. The booklet emphasizes that at times of crisis, it is essential that parents be aware that grief is normal, provide consistency of relationships at home, be sensitive to moods within the family, be prepared for crisis, be patient with the grief process, and confident in their abilities to provide a loving, secure environment for their children. The booklet concludes with a list of contacts in Australia for additional assistance for parents, and a list of books for children. (Contains a 10-item bibliography.) (KB)