Though it seems unfair, we all deal with grief. When it’s your turn, remember that your children are watching. How you operate and grieve will set an example for them.
If every time you feel pain, you retreat to your room and shut the door, or hide your tears, what message are you sending?
The commonly heard advice to “be strong” can be harmful.
Kids often interpret “be strong” as “be robotic” and “don’t show emotions,” which teaches them to bottle up their feelings. As a parent, you understand that there are moments when you need to be strong. However, when it comes to grief and pain, simply being strong and stuffing those feelings away isn’t the best approach.
Showing your emotions and dealing with your pain candidly is crucial. Being open demonstrates to your children that feeling, grieving, and processing difficult emotions is okay. Bottling everything up and appearing robotic isn’t a healthy plan for you or your children. Think about this as you navigate your grief. Remember, you’re teaching your children valuable lessons about dealing with emotions.
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