Finding peace after loss: Trusting God while supporting your child’s grief

Grief is one of the most challenging experiences that we endure in life. Whether it arrives suddenly or evolves over time, nothing fully prepares you for the plethora of emotions that it brings. When my father passed away last year, the grief was overwhelming. Though I continue to hold on to my faith, there are days when the weight of his absence feels unbearable, and the notion of ‘healing’ seems distant.

The truth is, loss isn’t just sadness. It’s a form of trauma. Like an earthquake, it leaves you shaken, struggling to find solid ground. As parents, though, grief takes on a new dimension. Sometimes we’re grieving alongside our children; mourning a shared loss like a grandparent, a family pet, or the end of a relationship. Other times, the grief belongs to them alone, and while we might not feel the same loss, our role shifts to supporting them as they navigate heartbreak.

Remind them, and yourself, that grief isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a reflection of love

Grief isn’t confined to death. Children experience sorrow in many forms. It could arise from a friend moving away, a missed opportunity, or a dream they held coming to an end. Whatever shape it takes, loss leaves a deep void. As parents, we may not always feel or understand their pain in the same way, but we’re called to walk alongside them, offering comfort and reminding them that God’s promises hold firm, even when life feels broken.