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Grief During the Holidays: How Parents Can Help Children (And Themselves)

As parents, we feel a strong pull to make the holiday season a time of joy and celebration. But November and December can also bring “grief spikes.” Perhaps this is the first holiday season without a loved one, or perhaps we find ourselves missing someone who has been gone for years. 

As we enter these winter months, Edelman offers some wisdom for families experiencing grief, particularly around the loss of a loved one. Please click the link to read more info on the advice below.

  1. Turn an absence into a presence
  2. Give children space to talk
  3. Gather your village to help
  4. Remember that children grieve differently than adults
 

One of the messages Edelman has for parents is that there is no “right way” to grieve. And grief isn’t time-limited, so if you find yourself experiencing an emotional spike this holiday season, “it doesn't mean that you got grief wrong — it means that you really loved that person and you really miss them.”

*Additional resources listed to help children navigate loss and grief.
 

LINK