Ep. 53 - This Side of Heaven: Supporting Children in Grief

Lasting Conversations

Navigating the raw, tumultuous path of grief is a daunting endeavor for
anyone. Yet, when a child loses a parent, a sibling, or even friend, the
complexity magnifies. The question we pose today is, how can we help
children cope with such profound loss? Our guest, Valerie Staggs,
returns, this time in a candid conversation about love, loss, and
healing, as we unearth answers to this essential question.
Grief, often perceived as an adult emotion, engulfs children too, a
sobering reality that our society frequently overlooks. Valerie was a
widow at 42 with a 7 year old son, who treaded through the delicate task
of guiding her boy through the loss of his dad, and reveals how her
personal journey sowed the seeds for her book, This Side of Heaven. We
also survey the common practices of shielding children from sorrow, plus
the evolving role of schools and communities, in showing compassion to
grieving children.
In the second part of our conversation, we delve into Valerie's
brainchild, Pandora's Kids, a nonprofit organization born out of her own
experiences with her son, and the lack of broader resources for
children. Pandora’s Kids is a fun way to socialize, come together with
other kids in a shared circumstance, and have an outlet not to feel
alone or ostracized. The camaraderie of these children, and their
ability to just Be together, is incredibly beneficial. What does it
take to reach out to grieving families, and how do organizations like
Pandora's Kids provide comfort and a semblance of normalcy? Could this
unique model be replicated on a global scale? We tackle these questions
and much more. We wrap up our critical discussion by exploring ways to
help children navigate their grief and loss, from fostering open,
meaningful conversations to creating ceremonies to honor their loved
ones. Listen in as we explore the journey of grief, as a path, though
difficult, can offer joy, laughter, hope, and love.
Valerie Staggs can be contacted via PandorasKids.org
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