The death of a sibling can leave a profound impact on your child. They not only lost their brother or sister but also a close friend. Losing a loved one can be an incredibly emotional experience for your little one. That is why, as a parent, it is your responsibility to help your child cope with the loss of their sibling and provide support and guidance to navigate this difficult time. With July being Bereaved Parents Awareness Month, here are some tips to help your kid while you cope with losing your child.
Let your child grieve in their own way to help cope with sibling loss
Every child has a different grieving process. From being loud to suddenly becoming extremely quiet and aloof, children can use various ways to cope with the loss of their sibling. As parents, you must also be grieving, but at some point, it is essential to help your kid. Just because they are not showing as much emotion as you does not mean they are not grieving. So, sit with them, talk to them about the loss, and be there for them.
Let your little one know it is completely fine to grieve and that they can take their time to come to terms with their emotions and feelings. Also, ensure your child knows they can rely on you and other trusted adults (like your partner, parents, and in-laws) for support.
Talk about the sibling to make the blow softer for your kid
You must talk to your kids, but do so only when you are ready. Talking about the deceased sibling will be extremely difficult. You might still be grieving, so don’t rush this process. First, take your time to grieve and then talk to your little one so that you can be emotionally available for them. Remember, your children might feel a little lost and might not be able to comprehend what happened and how. They might also have plenty of questions for the same reason.
Hence, try to describe how and why their sibling is no longer with them as honestly as possible. However, try to use age-appropriate terms to answer these questions. Talk to your child about some happy memories you had together. Encourage your kid to share some of their stories as well. This step might not be easy for you, so it’s always better to talk to your little one with your partner around. If things get too overwhelming, your partner can take over.
The more your child talks to others, the better they will cope with the loss of their sibling. Make them understand that life will be different, but you can all find ways to remember and honor the deceased person.
Encourage your child to seek support to help cope with sibling loss
Sometimes, kids might act tough. They might pretend to be doing alright. However, in reality, they are not fine and probably need help from others. This is something you need to explain to your children as their parents. Encourage your little one to seek support and join group therapies if required. Tell your child that there is no shame in admitting that they are hurt and need support to cope with the loss of their sibling.
Talking about the death, sharing memories of the siblings, and more will make their grieving process easier. You can also encourage your kids to write in a journal to vent. However, remind them they don’t have to suffer in silence. They can also seek support from other family members if therapy and support groups aren’t their thing. Although you should always be a safe space for your children, this is when they need you the most.
Also, try taking your little ones out of town for a few weeks (not immediately, but after a while). New places and surroundings may help your children cope with losing their siblings. There is a reason people embark on a trip after losing a loved one, so taking them away from the space they shared with their sibling can have a healing effect.
Losing a loved one will be very difficult for your kids. They might feel incomplete without their brother or sister. So make sure you are there for them and do everything possible to help your child cope with the loss of their siblings. Remember, the healing might take some time, but with constant efforts, patience, and support, you can learn to take one step at a time with the rest of your kids and slowly ease back into a regular flow of life.
