Global Grief Network logoGGN Childhood and Adolescent Grief
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 4 of 6

Support at Home

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. Routines bring safety
  2. Many ways to express grief
  3. Adults grieving openly
  4. Keeping memories close

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

Routines bring safety

After a loss, the world can feel unpredictable to a young person. Regular meals, bedtimes, and school days remind them that some things are still steady. Routines can be gentle and flexible, but having them helps.

Many ways to express grief

Not every young person wants to talk. Drawing, building, writing, music, sports, and play can all be ways of grieving. A teen may prefer to talk while driving, walking, or cooking side by side rather than face to face.

Adults grieving openly

When adults let young people see some of their sadness and how they cope with it, children learn that grief is normal and survivable. You might say, "I am sad today because I miss Grandma. I am going to take a walk, and then we can look at her photos."

Keeping memories close

Memory boxes, photo albums, favorite recipes, and stories told at the dinner table help young people stay connected to the person who died. The GGN Memory Wall is one place families can share memories together.

GGN reminder: You do not need perfect words. Steady presence, routines, and permission to feel are some of the most powerful supports a young person can have.
GGN practiceA family memory idea (about 15 minutes)

Choose one simple memory activity that fits a young person you know, such as a memory box, a drawing of a favorite day, or a recipe cooked together. Write down when and how you might offer it. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 4.1: Side by side

Jordan, fourteen, refused to talk about his brother's death. His mother noticed he opened up a little when they shot hoops together in the evening.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why might side by side activity help Jordan?
  2. How could his mother build on this?

Discussion: Some teens find face to face talk too intense. Shooting hoops lets Jordan share at his own pace. His mother can keep the routine, listen without pushing, and let him know she is ready whenever he wants to talk.

Reflection Prompts

  1. Which routines matter most in your home?
  2. How do you show your own grief in front of young people?
  3. What memory activity might fit your family?

Module 4 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.