When children experience grief—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a pet, or a major life change—they often don’t have the words to express what they feel. As parents, our instinct may be to fix things, but what children truly need is for us to hold space for their emotions. By being present, listening without fixing, and creating an environment where all feelings are welcome, we help them learn that love and safety exist even in sadness.

Grief is the natural reaction to loss. Grief is both a universal and a personal experience. Individual experiences of grief vary and are...