Grieving Children: More Articles

Tips from Teens

At the Highmark Caring Place, we are continually learning about the grief of children from the children themselves. Our greatest knowledge and deepest insights come from what we hear, see and experience from the children who attend sessions at our facility.

Following is a list of "TIPS" about grief from kids to kids:

1. There's no set time for grieving-take as long as you need.
2. It's OK to feel sad and out of place.
3. It's OK to cry and get your frustration out.
4. Try not to blame the person you lost.
5. Try not to blame yourself.
6. Don't let friends or parents tell you how to grieve-you need your space.
7. Cry as much as you want.
8. Don't be afraid to let loose or let go.
9. Don't let little things or little people bother you.
10. Your best friend could turn out to be the biggest stranger.
11. A stranger could turn out to be your best friend.
12. Tell people about it-it helps to talk.
13. Try to find people who also lost someone and share your experiences with them.
14. Remember the good times but don't live in the past.
15. You don't have to talk about it.
16. Find a creative way of expressing yourself.
17. Write about it.
18. Draw about it.
19. It's OK to not know how you feel.
20. Your weaknesses could turn out to be your strengths now.
21. It's never too late to say Good bye.

"I can't tell you how to grieve, for I am not you. But I can tell you that strength comes from release and compassion comes from companionship. I can't tell you what you'll find at the end, but I can go with you along the way."

—from one Caring Place teen group