Ep 161: Healing Young Hearts – Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss

Let’s Talk Clarity Host Zeenat Noorani Episode 161: Healing Young Hearts – Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss Let's Talk Clarity is a podcast featuring open, honest, and empowering conversations about mental health and wellbeing. In this episode, Zeenat talks about Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss, that Grief isn’t just something adults experience — children do too, and often in ways we might not recognise. Zeenat explores: • How grief shows up in children at different ages. • The emotional and psychological impact of loss. • How to support children through grief while also caring for your own wellbeing. • Practical tools and compassionate strategies SEGMENT 1: UNDERSTANDING GRIEF IN CHILDREN Adults often think grief is about sadness — but for children, it canlook very different. Coaching Moment: Pause for a second and think: when your child is quiet or withdrawn, do you jump to fix it or allow space for silence?SEGMENT 2: THE IMPACT OF GRIEF AND LOSS ON MENTAL WELLBEING Grief changes how children see the world. It can shake their sense of safety, predictability, and trust.Common Emotional Reactions: • Anxiety • Anger • Guilt. • Regression Parent Coaching Moment -Awareness Exercise- Think about how grief was handled in your own childhood. Were feelings openly talked about or brushed aside? SEGMENT 3: WHEN THE PARENT IS GRIEVING TOO When your child is grieving, you are too. It’s okay for them to see you cry. Mental Health Tip Self-Care Strategies for Parents • Find an adult outlet • Schedule small pauses for yourself • Practice compassionate self-talk • Keep routines gentle but predictable Parent CoachingMoment -Self-Reflection: Ask yourself: how am I really doing right now? What do I need to feel more grounded this week? You can’t pour from an empty cup — and how your healing supports your child’s. SEGMENT 4: HOW TO SUPPORT CHILDREN THROUGH GRIEF 🌿 1. Be Honest,Not Harsh 💬 2. Create a Safe Space for Feelings 🌈 3. Keep Routines with Flexibility 💞 4. Remember Together 🧘 5. Support Emotional Literacy 🪶 6. Seek Extra Support When Needed If your child’s grief becomes prolonged or they show signsof deep withdrawal, appetite change, or persistent guilt, consider reaching out to a professional.Coaching Moment - Connection Ask your child, What’s one thing you miss the most, and one thing you remember fondly?SEGMENT 5: RECONNECTING WITH HOPE Grief doesn’t end — it changes shape. Over time, memories become softer, and love finds new ways to live.Coaching Reflection • What small step can you take this week to honour both your child’s grief and your own?• Can you allow space for love, memory, and healing — without rushing the process?FINAL THOUGHTS Grief and loss are part of life, but they don’t have to define it. When children are supported with compassion, honesty, and presence, they emerge stronger, wiser, and more connected. If this episode has touched you, please share it with someone who may need it — a parent, teacher, or friend supportinga grieving child. And if you or your child are struggling, please reach out —to a professional, a school counsellor, or to Zeenat Noorani at Clarity Consulting. Together, we can help heal with clarity, compassion, and hope. In Zeenat’s next episode, 162, she explores Building Emotional Resilience in Teens — how to help young people navigate pressure, self-doubt, and big emotions with confidence and balance. You’re listening to Let’s Talk Clarity, the podcast where we have open, honest, and empowering conversations about mental health and wellbeing. Clarity Creates Confidence & Courage - Conversations that Matter - One talk at a time! Like, Follow, Share and Subscribe to keep up to date with new podcasts and resources from Clarity Consulting. Let’s connect: • Website: theclaritycoach.co.uk • linktr.ee:ZeenatNoorani • Email: [email protected] Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ebZWklmyROE