subject: Some Critical Ways To Aid A Teenager Deal With The Death Of A Father Or Mother [print this page] Some critical approaches to aid an adolescent deal with the loss of a father or mother involve offering to lend a hand, anticipating complex behavior, being conscious of indications of being in trouble, recommending engagement in support groups, locating community resources, and involving the adolescent in planning special events.
Teenagers are in the stage of life when they're most challenging to understand. But the death of a father or mother may make dealing with them even harder. They may feel like they should take full responsibility now, when they are not even adults yet. They could also hide their particular emotions to make other individuals think that they're strong. It can help you to possess some idea of the way to correctly take care of a teenager who just lost a parent.
Offer to lend a hand
Offer to lend help to the adolescent. Ask him/her if there is anything which she requires help with. Some teens may have issues with schoolwork or in caring for a younger brother or sister. However, if the kid doesn't want assistance from you, let him/her realize that an aunt or uncle, a teacher, or a member of the clergy is also there for them to turn to for any aid.
Anticipate challenging behavior
The death of a mother or father will surely make a teenager feel several types of emotions, like frustration. He might be angry at himself, at the scenario, or even at the person who died. This specific feeling can very well be a reaction to the death of the adolescent's parent, or it could also be just a part of his standard development. In either case, you should know that adolescents are at the stage in their own lives in which complex behavior is common.
Be familiar with warning signs of being in difficulties
The teenager who just lost a father or mother may find bad strategies to deal with the death, such as getting into trouble. She may resort to consuming alcohol or taking substances, both of which are very possible due to the weakness she may be feeling. You should be aware of any signals showing that she may be in trouble so you can act on them immediately and assist her get back onto the proper path of life. These indications can include skipping school, doing poorly in school, serious weight loss, lack of self-care, or stealing money.
Advise involvement in help groups
Find Teen Help support groups in your location and encourage the teenager to take part in the team. He/she may be willing to open up about his/her emotions when surrounded by other young people of the same age who also lost either of their parents. The adolescent may realize that he/she is not the only kid who lost a mother or father and who's struggling with confusing or distressing emotions. Once the adolescent is able to break down the walls which may surround him/her, he/she will then considerably more open to change and the healing which comes along with it.
Locate community resources
In addition to support groups, there are also local community resources which specialize in helping children deal with the loss of a mother or father. Locate an agency that offers hospice care in your area or you could give the child's school a telephone call to determine if they give any counseling services for this kind of situation or could refer you to somewhere which does.
Involve the adolescent in preparing special activities
To feel different or to feel left out are the last things that any teenager wants to feel after the loss of a father or mother. If there's an upcoming celebration in honor of the departed parent, involve the kid in the preparing of the event as much as possible.
It is important that you also take care of yourself really well so you are much more capable of helping the teenager who just lost a parent.
