Why Did You Die?

by Leeuwenburgh, Erica

• ISBN13: 9781572246041
• ISBN10: 1572246049
• Edition: Workbook
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-04-01
• Publisher: Instant Help Books

Summary

When loved ones die, children are faced with a kaleidoscope of feelings, thoughts, myths and questions. Struggling with these issues can be overwhelming without guidance, support and creative forms of expression. This bereavement book will help children, parents and other adults communicate about death and the grieving process. It begins with a section for adults, describing children's grief responses. Taking an art therapy approach, the activities then move children through the issues they must eventually confront. In a direct yet non-threatening manner, """"Why Did You Die"""" can help children learn, grow and continue to thrive. XX simple, effective activities to help children: Express difficult feelings; Separate myths from facts; Grow and thrive after the loss of a loved one.

Author Biography

Erika Leeuwenburgh, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, board-certified art therapist, and child life specialist. She is assistant visiting professor at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY Ellen Goldring, LPC, is a board-certified and registered art therapist and certified child life specialist. She is currently a supervisor of Child Life/Creative Arts Therapy Services at Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ

Table of Contents

To Parents	p. vii
Grief and Developmental Stages	p. ix
How Children Grieve	p. xiii
Complicated and Traumatic Grief	p. xv
Dear Kids	p. xvi
Everything Changes	p. 1
Changes You Can Control and Changes You Can't	p. 4
How You See Yourself and How Others See You	p. 7
You Have Many Feelings	p. 9
Your Life Is a Journey	p. 12
You Have a Support System	p. 15
Every Family Is Unique	p. 18
A Special Place Can Feel Good	p. 21
A Gift from Your Loved One	p. 24
Everything Has a Life Span	p. 27
There Are Many Causes of Death	p. 29
How Your Loved One Died	p. 31
Special Things You Did with Your Loved One	p. 34
What Your Loved One Enjoyed	p. 36
The Idea of Death Looks Different to Each of Us	p. 39
Illnesses, Accidents, and Natural Events	p. 41
Death Stops the Body from Working	p. 44
This Death Was Not Your Fault	p. 46
The Funeral Service	p. 48
People Give Gifts to Show They Care	p. 51
A Place People Go to Remember	p. 54
Beliefs About What Happens After Death	p. 57
Keeping a Feeling of Togetherness	p. 60
Feelings of Grief Can Change	p. 63
People Grieve Differently	p. 66
Wishing Things Could Be Different	p. 69
Times You Think About Your Loved One	p. 71
Pretending to Be a Superhero	p. 75
It's Okay to Play	p. 78
Sharing Your Worries	p. 81
When You Feel Angry	p. 84
Some Things Change and Some Remain the Same	p. 87
You Will Always Be You	p. 90
Taking Something to the Place You Remember Your Loved One	p. 93
Things You Wish You Had Said	p. 96
Honoring the Memory of Your Loved One	p. 99
Memories Are Important	p. 102
Sharing Memories with Others	p. 105
Life Has Ups and Downs	p. 108
Taking Care of Yourself	p. 111
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