What's New at OUR HOUSE
Welcome to the OUR HOUSE Family Bulletin Board.
We hope the activities and the information here will help you cope
with your grief while sheltering at home in the days and weeks ahead.
At Home Activities for Families
Story Time: Not The End of the Chavez Family with Carolyn Christ
In Not The End of the Chavez Family, author Mari Dombkowski explores the grief of a family after the death of their father through the eyes of the eldest sister Natalia. This story shows how grief changes over time as Natalia and her family learn together how to heal and grow, and to find hope and connection through their loss. Illustrated by Nazar Horokhivskyi.
Story Time: A Tiny Step Forward with Lauren Schneider
In their book, A Tiny Step Forward, Charlene Khaghan and Jill Starishevsky allow children to think lovingly about shared past times and to fantasize about the absent friend or family member who they know would take great pride in their accomplishments.
Links of Love Activity
It is crucial that adults help children hold onto their precious memories through discussion and repetition of favorite activities the children and their loved ones once shared. As a family, you can discuss the connections or “links” that exist between you and your person who died. This activity gives you a chance to create a physical reminder of those connections to be hung in honor of your person who died.
The Golden Sweater, A story of grief, strength, and love
The New York Life Foundation, a longtime supporter of OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Children’s Program and Camp Erin, has generously published Kai’s Journey, The Golden Sweater, a :60 animated film and free downloadable children’s book that explores loss, grief and finding comfort. For every download of the book from Thursday, May 14th through Wednesday, May 20th, the New York Life Foundation will donate $1.00 to support Eluna’s mission of supporting children and families impacted by grief or addiction.
Explaining COVID-19 Death to Children
When someone dies of COVID-19 a child or teen may experience thoughts and feelings unlike those experienced when deaths are due to other causes. As with deaths due to other causes, it is important to be truthful about the cause and to provide age appropriate explanations to questions that children may have. Since this disease is new to human beings, feeling prepared requires knowledge. Like other parenting responsibilities, preparation can alleviate confusion that caregivers might experience if caught offguard.
Links to Support Resources
Trinka and Sam Fight the Big Virus
This story by by Chandra Michiko Ghosh Ippen and Melissa Brymer was designed to help children cope with fears and worries related to COVID-19. Please read it by yourself first and think about how you will use it with your child. Review the parent guide and the accompanying booklet Trinka and Sam’s Questions. Even if you choose not to read specific pages to your child, the story, the booklet, and the parents’ guide at the end of the book, may help you better understand your child’s reactions to COVID-19
National Alliance for Grieving Children Toolkit
NAGC Toolkit: The experience of change and loss can impact everyone differently and can cause disconnection for families. The NAGC is invested in ensuring everyone has the opportunity to share their feeling and feel validated.
Please use this workbook to process and create space for everyone’s emotions and connect your family’s stories.
