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| So Much Sadness...How Do We Help Our Children Cope? |  |
| Location: Blogs Leanne's Blog |
 | | Posted by: Leanne | 2/13/2008 3:04 AM | My friends and I were talking about how many people we know who are suffering with illnesses right now...with cancer, with muscular dystrophy, with diabetes, and heart issues. We were trying to decide if we were just older, so we know more people getting sick, or if there is more illness in the world these days. Whatever the cause, as we care for those around us who are sick and as we discuss their illnesses, let us not forget that our children are overhearing our concern. This can be a time of great concern for them, or it can be a time of great spiritual growth. The way we handle the situation will make a huge difference in the way our children process and understand the sadness around them.
I do not think "sheltering" children from our cares and concerns ever works. First of all, they have great hearing and hear even the quietest of whispers! Second, they often "feel" things before they understand the words we are saying. So if you are upset, your child knows it, intuitively, whether you speak your concern or not.
I believe the best way to help children face and cope with concerns about illness is by empowering them to care for the person who is ill. And the best way to empower kids is to give them things to do to help! Below is a list of ways kids can help those we love!
Pray: Light a special candle each day for the person who is ill. You can even buy an electric candle for your child to use so that he/she can light her/his prayer candle several times a day, without any help from you!
Call or E-mail: Allowing your child to call or email an ill loved one not only helps the child reach out, but it is one of the best gifts a person can receive! To know that they are loved by a child is great medicine!
Bake: Children love to bake and when they bake and share what they have made, it gives them an additonally sense of pride. Together you can bake dinner, or a batch of cookies or a cake. And the bonus is that you and your child will get to spend some quality time together as well!
Anointing: Anointing is a lost art these days but it simply a time of rubbing oil or lotion on a person as sign of care. When you visit your loved one who is ill, bring a bottle of their favorite lotion and allow your child to rub it on their arms or legs. It will help with their dry skin and will bring them comfort. This is especially nice to use when a person has been bed ridden and needs the stimulation of massage.
Raise Money for the Cause: If your loved on is suffering from a certain illness, allowing a child a way to save their pennies or participate in a fund raising event is a great way of helping them find hope in the midst of the illness.
Listen: Make sure you make time for your child to share their concerns about the illness and their fears and concerns. But remember...don't try and "make it better." Simply listen and they will feel better after they are allowed to share their true feelings!
Don't be fooled. Our children are much wiser and aware than they ever let us know. If there is a loved one or friend of yours that you are worried about, I am sure your child is also aware of it. Empowering them to reach out and do something to make the situation better will help them find hope within the situation for your child and the person whose life they reach out and touch will be blessed as well! | | | Permalink | Trackback |
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