Read an Excerpt
When Mom or Dad Dies
A Book of Comfort for Kids
By Daniel Grippo, R. W. Alley Abbey Press
Copyright © 2008 Daniel Grippo
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4976-9303-6
CHAPTER 1
Home Doesn't Feel Right
Mom or Dad has died and home isn't the same. It used to be the place you felt really good, all cozy and comfortable, a warm and happy place. But now it's a sad and quiet place. There's an empty place at the table every time you sit down to eat.
Your whole family misses Mom or Dad a lot. But one thing you can do for each other is to stay close as a family. You need each other right now, and you all understand how hard it is. Give everyone in your family a big hug today.
Friends Treat You Differently
Your friends might not come around to visit as much, and they might be real quiet when they are with you for a while. They probably don't know what to say or do. Don't worry—they still like you and want to be your friends. They just want to give you some time.
You can tell them that you still want to be their friend, too. When the time is right, maybe you'll want to talk to a really good friend about how you feel.
Your Life Has Changed
When Mom or Dad died, a lot of things changed. Maybe Mom used to do most of the shopping, or Dad liked to cook. Now maybe you have to do the laundry or mow the grass.
Sure, you'd like to be playing with your friends instead of doing extra chores around the house, but you can look at the extra chores as a way to remember your Mom or Dad in a special way. They really did a lot of things for you, stuff you never really thought about. Helping out around the house is a way you can say "Thanks" to them.
Special Days Feel Strange
Some of your favorite days might be some of your saddest days this year. You may not feel very happy at the holidays. Your birthday won't be the same without Mom or Dad there when you blow out the candles.
You can make some changes in the way you celebrate special days. You might even decide as a family to go on a holiday trip together. In years to come, these days can become days when your family remembers Mom or Dad in a special way, maybe sharing stories and favorite memories.
It's Okay to Feel Sad
You miss Mom or Dad a lot, and sometimes that makes you feel really sad. You might be in a store and see something that reminds you of Dad, or be playing in the park when you remember how Mom used to take you there. These are good memories but sometimes they hurt.
You will feel like crying sometimes, and that's okay. Crying helps us feel better when we are sad. You don't have to hide your tears. Make sure you get all the hugs you need when you feel sad.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from When Mom or Dad Dies by Daniel Grippo, R. W. Alley. Copyright © 2008 Daniel Grippo. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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