The loss of a parent in the first two years of life is profound. The child experiences a great loss, but cannot yet understand it. Grief in babies and toddlers is expressed mainly in their bodies and behavior, not in words. Therefore, this age group requires a special...
The University of Pittsburgh has just concluded the longest and most detailed study of child mourning ever. After seven years of research, the findings are both sobering and hopeful. The Reality: Effects Last Long The numbers don't lie. Children who have lost a parent...
Summary (8 min reading time): This systematic review examined how bereaved adolescents maintain a sense of connection with deceased family members. The concept of "continuing bonds" suggests that healthy grief does not mean breaking the bond with the deceased, but...
Summary (8 min reading time): This study analyzed 213 questions asked by bereaved children ages 5-12 during grief camps. By studying these questions, researchers gained insight into what children really want to know about death and grief. The questions were...
Summary (8 min reading time): Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh completed a seven-year study of child grief - the longest and most detailed study to date. They followed children who had lost a parent to sudden death. Key findings: Children who lost a parent...
8 minutes reading time | For professionals in education and healthcare When a parent dies, a child's world stands still. As a professional in education or care, you bear an important responsibility. You want to help, but how do you best approach this? The scientific...
It seems like more and more grief experts are emerging in our country. Some better than others. I spoke to one this week. She was a complete expert on grief in children. You can probably understand why that makes me sit on the edge of my seat a little more. She had...
I take you to Kim and Sander's family. They have two children. Joep aged 1 and Sophie aged 3. Sander is home full-time, so the childcare allowance is discontinued. A completely logical story. Except in this case. Because Sander, is not taking care of his family. Who...
Dad, now if we don't count down on New Year's Eve, won't it be New Year's too? I don't want a New Year, I don't want a countdown, I'll go to bed on time. Then do we do that tomorrow is just still this year? it is a completely logical train of thought for this boy...
You've been told that your best friend is terminally ill. Crappy news! Now what? What about that family? Their kids? Your kids? Tell your children that X is sick (they probably already know this too). There are three different ways of being sick: - sick to get better...
I'm looking forward to it! That's what the 7-year-old girl said about her mother's funeral. But how can that be? That's heartbreaking, isn't it, that a child “makes sense” of her mother's funeral? Does she even understand what is going on? The short answer is yes! It...
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