ABSTRACT
As a parent, caregiver, or professional, it is important to convey to the child or teen author that he or she and his or her thoughts and feelings are important and special. Children and adolescents engaged in this guide should be reminded that all emotions are okay and healthy to feel when a sibling is sick, injured, dying, or after sibling death. You may also reinforce the concept of healthy and acceptable expressions of emotions as you introduce many of the activities within this guide.
Before beginning any activity or discussion with the child or teen author, practice these suggestions:
Be aware of and share your own feelings and thoughts related to the sibling’s illness, injury or dying/death situation. If you are unable to express your thoughts and feelings in beneficial ways with the child or teen, find a supportive adult with whom the child or teen feels comfortable. Remember, it is okay and healthy to cry with the child or teen.
Remember that each child or teen expresses his or her emotions in special ways. Grief emotions, especially, may be expressed at different times throughout the child or teen’s life as his or her understanding and thought processes mature and as the child or teen’s special developmental milestones occur.
Allow adequate time to introduce guide concepts and to engage authors in the related activities or discussions. Also, select an environment with limited noise and interruptions prior to beginning an activity or discussion.
Reassure the child or teen author that you or a designated supportive adult will be available to answer questions, participate in discussions or listen as he or she speaks about the sibling’s illness, injury, or death.
While engaged in the guide activities or discussions with the child or teen author, remember to:
Be truthful, honest and sensitive when explaining concepts related to sibling illness, injury or death.
Use language and terminology which encourage the child or teen to comprehend the concepts. Avoid ambiguous or unclear words and phrases.
Remember that healthy expression of thoughts and feelings may be verbal or nonverbal. Do not force the child or teen author to share completed activities or his or her emotions.
Be aware of the child or adolescent who is not practicing healthy expression of emotions and thoughts. Remember, you are not emotionally weak to ask for professional help for yourself or for the child or teen.
