GRIEF MANAGEMENT IN CHILDREN
The death of a cherished pet creates a sense of loss for adults and produces
a predictable chain of emotions. The stages of grief are typically denial, sadness,
depression, guilt, anger, and, finally, relief (or recovery). However, the effects
on children vary widely depending upon the child's age and maturity level. The
basis for their reaction is their ability to understand death.
Two and Three Year Olds
Children who are two or three years old typically have no understanding of
death. They often consider it a form of sleep. They should be told that their
pet has died and will not return. Common reactions to this include temporary
loss of speech and generalized distress. The two or three year old should be
reassured that the pet's failure to return is unrelated to anything the child
may have said or done. Typically, a child in this age range will readily accept
another pet in place of the dead one.
Four, Five, and Six Year Olds
Children in this age range have some understanding of death but in a way that
relates to a continued existence. The pet may be considered to be living underground
while continuing to eat, breathe, and play. Alternatively, it may be considered
asleep. A return to life may be expected if the child views death as temporary.
These children often feel that any anger they had for the pet may be responsible
for its death. This view should be refuted because they may also translate this
belief to the death of family members in the past. Some children also see death
as contagious and begin to fear that their own death (or that of others) is
imminent. They should be reassured that their death is not likely. Manifestations
of grief often take the form of disturbances in bladder and bowel control, eating,
and sleeping. This is best managed by parent-child discussions that allow the
child to express feelings and concerns. Several brief discussions are generally
more productive than one or two prolonged sessions.
Seven, Eight, and Nine Year Olds
The irreversibility of death becomes real to these children. They usually
do not personalize death, thinking it cannot happen to themselves. However,
some children may develop concerns about death of their parents. They may become
very curious about death and its implications. Parents should be ready to respond
frankly and honestly to questions that may arise. Several manifestations of
grief may occur in these children, including the development of school problems,
learning problems, antisocial attentiveness, or clinging may be seen. Based
on grief reactions to loss of parents or siblings, it is likely that the symptoms
may not occur immediately but several weeks or months later.
Ten and Eleven Year Olds
Children in this age range generally understand death as natural, inevitable,
and universal. Consequently, these children often react to death in a manner
very similar to adults.
Adolescents
Although this age group also reacts similarly to adults, many adolescents may
exhibit various forms of denial. This usually takes the form of a lack of emotional
display. Consequently, these young people may be experiencing sincere grief
without any outward manifestations.
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