056: Understanding and Helping Grieving Children (Part 1)

Understanding and Helping Grieving Children Grief doesn’t skip over children — but it often gets overlooked or misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Z is joined by childhood bereavement expert Jacey Ludlam, M.S. from the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy to talk about what grief looks like at different developmental stages, how to spot the signs in children who “seem fine,” and how adults can offer the kind of support that truly helps. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or clinician, this conversation offers compassionate, practical insights into how to show up for grieving kids — without overwhelming them or shutting them down. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview  01:48 – How Cindy got into grief work  04:30 – Do children really understand death?  07:02 – Developmental stages of childhood grief  09:45 – Signs of grief in younger kids vs. teens  13:15 – What children often fear but won’t say  15:40 – Why honesty matters (and how to do it right)  19:22 – Common mistakes adults make with grieving children  23:10 – Using rituals and legacy items to support healing  25:55 – Grieving in schools: what teachers should know  29:15 – How to keep the door open for hard conversations  32:40 – When to consider therapy for a grieving child  35:20 – Final thoughts & practical takeaways