Starting a conversation about a family member who passed away or is absent for other reasons can be daunting. It can be hard to know when is a good time to talk about it and what to say. It can be tempting to put it off, hoping that the child will be ok and that they can manage by themselves.
I understand how difficult it can be to open up those conversations. In my experience, having some support with navigating them can make all the difference. So, I was thrilled when I met Helen Bowler and heard about her Memories Boxes. She is an entrepreneur home-educating mother who is passionate about helping families talk with their children more openly about grief and bereavement using a storybook and arts & crafts.
I was curious to find out more about her boxes, and she wanted to pick my brain about using them as a container for conversations about loss. We met and recorded a video in which we shared our thoughts on the following questions parents asked Helen:
How and when do I start the conversation about grief?
What if my child refuses to talk about it?
Should I leave them to complete the activity alone or do it with them?
How much should I tell them about the preparation for or death itself?
What if I cry? Shouldn't I be the strong one?
How will I know if my child needs further support from professionals?
Helen and I hope you found this video helpful if you are looking for some ideas for starting a conversation about loss.
Warmly,
Una