If you have just recently lost your spouse, and you have a teenager who is having difficulty with the idea that they have lost their parent, you will want to do whatever possible to help them get through their thought patterns about the incident. At a time where you are also suffering from a loss, it can be extremely difficult to be there for your child emotionally. Here are a few of the activities your teen would benefit from to help them grasp the understanding of the loss in an attempt to help with the healing process.

Encourage Talking

Take time to speak to your child often about how they are feeling. Even if you don't mention the death directly, having them hear you ask about their well-being gives them reassurance that someone is there for them should they decide to want to talk later on.

Encourage your teen to meet with friends as they had before your spouse passed away. Having peers their own age to speak with may be beneficial. Do your best not to isolate your child because you are grieving yourself. Try spending time together whether it is having dinner, going to a store, or simply watching a show on television, as it will be comforting to you both.

Make An Appointment

Seeing an adolescent psychiatry counselor may be beneficial for your child. It may help them to express feelings to someone impartial to the situation. Your teen may have issues they are embarrassed to discuss with you, or they may feel they will upset or bother you with their own grief. A counselor will encourage your teen to speak freely about their grief and will conduct exercises to help them overcome their depression. 

Reminisce Together

Have your teen write a letter to your spouse. This will allow your teen to put feelings into words. Tell them they do not need to share this information with anyone other than themselves, and that it may help them feel a little better in trying to sort through feelings, regrets, and accomplishments in their life that they wish they were able to tell their parent in person. 

Take time to go through photographs of your family and make a collage together of good times you both remember having with your spouse. This will keep your spouse's memory vivid, as they will be able to look at the photos often if they are displayed in your home.

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