How to Help Your Teen Through Grief

Losing a loved one is difficult for anyone, but it is even more challenging when your teen is also struggling. Everybody deals with grief in different ways, and it is important to understand that and allow it. If your teen has recently lost a loved one and you want to know how to help them through it, then read on. 

Talk to Them 

The first step to processing death is to talk. This doesn’t mean you should walk into their bedroom and force them to tell you exactly how they feel; it just means that you should be there when they need you.

Let your teen know that you have an open door for whatever they want to say. When they want to talk about it, make sure you give them your full attention and withhold any judgment. Grief is a strange process, and your teen may deal with it very differently from you, and you must accept that. 

Get a Counselor 

Some people can wake up in the morning after a loss and go straight to work, while others struggle to leave bed for months on end. If your teen is falling under the latter category, then you should consider getting them a counselor. 

Sometimes, the death of a loved one can cause depression. If that happens with your teen, then help them overcome depression by seeking treatment and being there for them. Remind them that there is a light on the other side and no feeling lasts forever. 

Take a Trip 

One way to take your kid’s mind off the unfortunate event is to take a trip somewhere. This isn’t to cover their grief, but rather to show them that life still has beautiful moments. You needn’t travel halfway across the world; a short trip to a local nature hub can be enough to give your teen some clarity about what they are going through. 

Visit a Special Place 

Whether their loved one has been buried or their ashes have been scattered, visiting that place will help your teen come to terms with what has happened. They can speak with the person they have lost, which will help them work through their emotions. Offer to take them as often as they want to visit and respect them if they aren’t ready to do so. 

Let Your Teen Take Time Off 

If your teen has just found out about the loss of a loved one, then let them have some time off from their life. While school is important, so is their health. Let them spend some time in bed, go for a walk, or listen to music away from everyone else. While you shouldn’t let them hide away for too long, it’s beneficial to give them enough time to grieve in peace. Hopefully, by the time they’re ready for school again, they will feel better about the situation. 

Watching your teen suffer is extremely upsetting, but by helping them through the grieving process, you will soon see their smile once more.

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