About this episode

Sissy Goff and David Thomas discuss how children process grief differently than adults and provide guidance for parents on supporting their kids through loss.

Grief can look very different in children than it does in adults. In this episode, Sissy Goff and David Thomas share five important ways kids process loss: in small doses, in the middle of everyday life, through emotions connected to secondary losses, through play, and in new ways as they grow and develop. They encourage parents to follow their child’s lead, offer language when grief unexpectedly surfaces, and remember that there is no “right” timetable or expression of grief. Rather than trying to make children grieve like adults, caregivers can remain close, make room for remembering, and reassure kids that they never have to walk through loss alone. Resources mentioned: Helping Kids Through Grief: A Parent's Guide for Making Sense of Death, Processing Loss, and Finding Hope by Sissy Goff The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis . . . . . .  Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Order our new book, Capable, here!! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . .&nbsp…

People in this episode

Guests: Sissy Goff, David Thomas

Topics covered

• grief in children
• parenting
• loss
• emotional processing
• child development

Keywords

• grief
• children
• loss
• parenting
• emotions
• development
• support

Sponsors

Christian Healthshare Ministries, Boll & Branch

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Helping Kids Through Grief: A Parent's Guide for Making Sense of Death, Processing Loss, and Finding Hope, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

More episodes of Raising Boys & Girls

• Episode 409: Creating Community for Kids in Time of Grief with Toni Collier · September 10, 2026 · 40 min
• Episode 408: What Grief Looks Like at Different Ages with David and Sissy · September 8, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 407: Joyful Anyway with Kate Bowler · September 3, 2026 · 34 min
• Episode 405: Where Getting Outside and Homeschooling Meet Capability with Ginny Yurich · August 27, 2026 · 39 min
• Episode 404: Our 5 Favorite Tips for Parent Teacher Conferences · August 25, 2026 · 24 min
• Episode 403: The Importance of a Family Devotion with Michael and Melissa Kruger · August 20, 2026 · 36 min

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