Grief Resources for Kids and Teens

Children and teenagers grieve too, even if their expressions look different from adults'. They may not have the language, but they feel the impact deeply.

How Kids and Teens May Show Grief

• Younger children:
• Clinginess, regression (bedwetting, baby talk)
• Play themes involving loss or danger
• Seeming "fine" one moment, upset the next
• Teens:
• Mood swings, withdrawal, irritability
• Risk-taking or academic changes
• Intense questions about fairness, death, and meaning

What Helps

• Honest, simple explanations:
• "Their body stopped working and they died. They can't come back, but we can remember and love them forever."
• Consistency and routine as much as possible
• Opportunities to express grief through art, play, writing, or music
• Memory boxes, rituals, or projects to honor the person who died

What to Avoid

• Vague phrases like "went away" or "went to sleep" (can create confusion or fear)
• Pressuring them to "be strong" or "not cry"
• Assuming they're "too young to understand"

Support Tools

• Age-appropriate books about grief
• School counselors or therapists trained in child grief
• Camps and groups for grieving youth
• Online resources tailored to kids and teens

For the Adults Supporting Them

You don't have to have all the answers. Being a steady, loving presence is often what matters most. And you deserve support too—consider your own grief care as you care for them.