Let’s talk about handling photos, which can be a challenging topic. How have you managed the photos that you have of your child’s loved one who has passed away? Is it triggering for your child to see photos of this loved one, or does it inspire pleasant reminiscing? If you’re unsure, this is something to pay attention to. For some who are grieving — especially at the beginning of a grief journey — photos of their loved ones can be triggering. They may hide all pictures of the person, or they may spend an inordinate amount of time looking at these pictures. Both reactions may be okay as a coping mechanism at the start of a grief journey, but it is something to pay attention to as the grief journey continues. It is hoped that a grieving individual eventually gets to a place where seeing such photos is not triggering.
When you have a grieving child, it may be helpful for you and your child to put together a photo album with pictures of their loved one. Just putting this together can be a therapeutic process in and of itself. And once it’s made, it can be a tool that your child can turn to when those times of really missing their person get a little overwhelming. It can be extra helpful to look at the photo album together with your child. You can encourage them to share memories and you can share memories that you have as well (assuming that you knew the person that your child is missing). Another idea is to ask your child if they would like to have some framed photos of the person that they are missing, either in their bedroom or throughout the house.
Giving your child some choice and ownership in this will not only empower them but also help them on their grief journey!