Audience Category: For Families

There are two types of losses that occur in everyone’s life. “Maturational losses” predictably occur during the life cycle. “Situational losses” are caused by unexpected or unusual circumstances. Children will likely experience both types during the preschool years, and will need adult support and recognition of these losses.

Learn what grief and loss looks like to a preschool-age child, and what you can do to help.

At some point in their childhood, most children will experience the death of a friend. It can be challenging to break the news to a child that his or her friend is gone. The death of a friend is difficult for children to understand. How kids respond depends greatly on their age, experiences, and personality.… Continue reading When a Friend Dies

Most kids lose a grandparent at some point in their lives. A grandparent’s illness and death can disrupt daily routines and send family emotions into high gear. Children who are too young to understand the complexities of what’s going on use their behavior to tell the adults in their life that they’re having difficulty dealing… Continue reading When a Grandparent Dies

When a parent loses their job, it causes a great deal of stress within the family. Not only are the adults worried and concerned, but the children are affected as well. Job loss creates anxiety and economic hardship for families. These tips may help you navigate the situation with children.

Losing a parent is the most profound loss a child can experience. These tips will help the adults in their life support them during this time.

Children whose parent is incarcerated are impacted in a number of ways. This guide provides information on how adults can support a child in this situation.

It can be very scary when a parent loses the ability to interact as they use to with a child due to loss of a limb. It can frighten children and is often hard for them to understand. Being prepared to help children adjust can alleviate stress and anxiety from the already sensitive situation.

For many children, pet death is the first time they will experience grief and loss. Children’s reactions to the death of a pet will depend upon their age and developmental level. Guiding children through the loss of a beloved pet in a positive way will help them to handle grief in the future.