Supporting Children Through Grief: A Conversation with Dr. Elena Merenda

Join us for an insightful and heartfelt conversation with Dr. Elena Merenda, founder of Children's Healing Studio, as she shares her personal journey with grief and her professional expertise in supporting children and families through the grieving process. Elena discusses how children experience and express grief differently from adults, offers practical strategies for parents, and emphasizes the importance of seeking support during difficult times.Time Stamps00:00 - Introduction and Elena's personal connection to grief02:00 - Elena's journey to founding Children's Healing Studio05:00 - Discussion of personal grief experiences and family dynamics13:00 - How children process grief differently from adults16:00 - Common behavioral changes in grieving children19:00 - Therapeutic approaches for supporting grieving children24:00 - Creating new traditions and adapting to change28:00 - Impact of grief on infants and toddlers33:00 - Grief in the context of divorce and family separation36:00 - Timeline of grief processing and healing42:00 - Advice for families seeking support45:00 - How to find the right therapeutic fit for your child47:53 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationKey TakeawaysChildren's Grief ExpressionChildren experience the same emotions as adults but express them differentlyPlay remains a normal function even during griefBehavioral changes are common signs of grief in childrenImpact on Different Age GroupsInfants and toddlers are affected through disruption of routines and attachmentYoung children may show regression in developmentAll age groups need age-appropriate support and explanationSupporting Grieving ChildrenStart with understanding what the child knows about deathUse clear, direct language (e.g., "died" instead of "lost")Honor religious and cultural beliefsAllow children to express emotions without rushing to fix themFamily DynamicsMaintain boundaries and routines while offering appropriate choicesCreate new traditions when old ones are too painfulBe honest about emotions while remaining age-appropriateConsider the whole family system in the healing processProfessional SupportGive therapeutic relationships at least three sessionsAllow children some control in the processFinding the right fit is crucial for successful supportDon't hesitate to seek help - it's a sign of strengthResourcesFor support and more information about Children's Healing Studio, contact Elena Merenda https://www.childrenshealingstudio.ca/ Connect with Katiehttps://www.heartinhome.ca/https://www.instagram.com/heartinhomeliving/Heart & Home Podcast For guest recommendations or to be featured on the show, email: [email protected]