It’s a beautiful and very difficult time of year for children who are grieving losses: maybe a beloved pet passed away and this the first year without them. Perhaps a family member has crossed over during this season and the anniversary of this loss is upon you. Kids who have lived through separation and divorce may also be grieving the family structure they once knew.
Every year, parents and grandparents come to me asking for gift ideas that their child will love and that will help them work through grief. This is a difficult but important subject and I’m here to help however I can. These gift options are listed from grief-centric to death-educational. If you are uncertain what gift may be a good fit for your child and situation, feel free to schedule a free discovery call with me.
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First gift for grieving kids: Journals
If you have a child who needs a safe space to work through their feelings alone, a journal can be a wonderful gift and tool. While a plain-paged journal may work fine for them, a journal like this (written by a therapist and teacher) allows for guided work. It’s cost effective at under $15 and is colorful without edging toward “toxic positivity” or avoidance of the difficult issues at hand.
If your child is completely averse to talking about how they are feeling or if anger is the emotion that you are seeing most, know that they may become aggressive toward a journal in an attempt to relieve some of the pain they are feeling. Consult a mental health professional if you have any concerns.
Second gift for grieving kids: Memorials
I remember when a friend of mine passed and some of her clothes were turned into teddy bears: I still have my bear and I treasure it. I have also heard of T-Shirts being turned into quilts and pillows. There are services that send memorial bears and bedtime blankets that can provide support and comfort during hard moments.
Third gift for grieving kids: Things that grow
After a loss, it can feel like everything is standing still and life will never go on. A living and growing project can help kids see that even thought this moment is hard, new and beautiful things will come. Kits like this pot and flower kit can be both a welcome distraction and a beautiful memorial. You can also consider something like this table-side terrarium to give them a place to see that growth and life continues.
Fourth gift for grieving kids: Books
Whether you are seeing a loss on the horizon and need to talk about death or if one has already occurred, books can be an incredibly helpful tool for having tough conversations. The book I miss you (as well as the ones talked about on my blog about grieving, here) can be exactly what you are looking for. I particularly like I miss you because it is beautifully illustrated and doesn’t mince words but keeps the conversation appropriate for children throughout.
