How To Look After A Child While Grieving
Losing a loved one is never easy. Time feels like it should stand still – yet it moves faster than ever. You might have to organize the funeral, sort out finances and potentially even find a wrongful death attorney.
Losing a loved one can be even more difficult when you have a child to look after. You may find looking after yourself a struggle, let alone anyone else. It will never be easy, but the following tips should help during this difficult time.Communication
It can be difficult to know how much to tell a child when someone has passed away. You don’t want to frighten or upset your child. However, honest communication is the best way to go. Children experience stress like we do, so if you don’t speak to them honestly and let them explore their feelings they will feel confused and upset. Children are intuitive, and they will know something is wrong. Sure, explaining that someone has died will be hard, but they will thank you for it later.
A normal routine
It can be difficult to stick to a normal routine when grieving. You might be eating at strange times, struggling to sleep and taking time off work. However, children need stability. They have adopted a routine that they know and trust. So, try to stick to it as much as possible. A sudden change in routine could cause stress and upset; making life more difficult for both of you.
Accept help
Grieving parents might not want to admit that they need help. But everyone does. Looking after a child is challenging at the best of times, let alone when you’re grieving. So, accept offers to help with childcare. Allowing a friend to take your child out for the day or go over for dinner will give you some much needed time to yourself. Socializing will make things feel more normal for your child, too.
Rules
Setting rules when you’re grieving might seem a little strange. You might feel sad for your child and want to treat them. However, while a few treats can be a great thing, make sure that you are still setting rules and using discipline. Your child won’t thank you if you let them do whatever they want.
Take time out
Taking time out is always important as a parent, but it’s vital when you are grieving. You need time to process the loss of your loved one and go through the stages of grief. So, while you may be enjoying looking after your child as it’s a welcome distraction, make sure you take time out. This might mean going for walks alone, taking a long bath or practising meditation. Do whatever you need to care for yourself during this difficult time.
