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Posted by Debbie/NH on 10/2/2007, 9:59 am, in reply to "dealing with death" My husband passed away 2 years ago now and our son was only 9 at the time. Some of the things that we did to help him deal with his grief are, I signed him up for a grief therapy class that is about 6-8 weeks long. I don't know if you have anything near you like that. This was done through Visiting Nurse/Home Health and Hospice. For myself, I found writing in a journal helpful. I found that I would sit down every few days and write a letter to my husband telling him all the things that were going on. How much I missed him and some day will let my son read it. But you could also do that. Also, this place is a good spot to share your pain, anger, grief, loss we all understand how you feel. Tell me more about your Dad.. I will be happy to read it and listen to your heart.
Hello Melissa,
They run the programs around here in spring and fall. After they sign up so many kids, then they separate them by ages. It's for kids/teens that are suffering guilt. It does not have to be a very recent loss. They are aware that kids sometimes don't go through their grief right away.
My son enjoyed the process and it helped him to connect to other kids who are sometimes dealing with parent loss, sibling loss, grandparent or just a friend.
They do different things each week. Sometimes he had to bring in a photo of our family. Other times he had to write a paragraph about his Dad.
The program is very nicely done and although it doesn't stop the pain. It does help with the healing.
At home, I have pictures of them in his room. I gave him a few of his dad's things. He had lots of baseball caps.
I went to the store and picked out a journal that I liked. Also I don't know if you are near a Barnes and Noble store or similiar. They sell a journal about grief that has questions in there about your loved one that you answer. and it encourages you to let them know how you are feeling.
If you don't want anyone to see it then you could keep it in your room out of sight.
All our losses are different but the hurt, sorrow and pain are a common theme.
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