Grief & Gratitude

Parents are often reluctant to talk about death, particularly with young children. Because death is an inescapable part of life, it is helpful to learn to talk about it, even with children, so they can be supported when dealing with it. By providing them with needed information, understanding and comfort, it’s possible to help them through the grief process. We’ve included a link to a list of suggestions from Bo’s Place Grief Support Center for talking with children, tweens, and teenagers about death and grief.

You can refer to the Grief Across Developmental Stages to help with your students' needs. There are also books available for when a student loses a pet.

A non-profit, free-of-charge bereavement center, Bo’s Place offers multiple grief support services for adults, children and families, and provides education and resources for those who assist people in grief. Bo’s Place operates on the belief that it is helpful and healing for grieving children and adults to share their stories, memories, experiences, thoughts and feelings with those who can understand their journey. Bo’s Place offers the only free on-going grief support program in the greater Houston area for children and their families.

INFORMATION & REFERRAL LINE

Call 713-942-8339
8:30am-5:30pm Monday-Thursday
8:30am-4:30pm Friday

• Refuge in Grief
• What's Your Grief?
• GriefShare - zip code based support
• The Compassionate Friends
• Bo’s Place
• Psychology Today - find therapist in your area
• Texas Children's Hospital

November is the month of Thanks-giving, this time can bring up the question, how can we be grateful when we are grieving? We may have family members in the hospital or recently (or not recently) lost a loved one that we will experience this time without.

Gratitude and grief can be closely linked. Professors Lawrence Calhoun and Richard Tedeschi of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte termed the phrase “post-traumatic growth” to refer to “the positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances.” They find that individuals often appreciate their good fortunes not in spite of, but because of their trauma and loss. Swarthmore College Professor, Lynn Schofield '99, urges us all "to focus on the many ways, small and large, where we can respond to our grief with compassion and generosity. After all, even those who have suffered most attain more post-traumatic growth if they have strong networks and supports. Ultimately, it is up to us as a community to find ways to honor those whom we have lost. Although we can never fill their shoes—their shoes, are unique and theirs alone— we can be grateful for them and good to one another."

We encourage you to try something new this November with the Action for Happiness Calendar, below.

Francesca Newman, Elementary 281-641-7871

Tammie Johnson, Middle School 281-641-7874

Maria Ingram, High School 281-641-7872

Mark your calendar! Mental Health & Wellness Fair 2/23/23!