Pet Loss Counseling for Kids: Regression

Video Transcript

"After the death of a family pet, it?s not at all uncommon for children to exhibit some signs of regression. That could come in the form of a child that was previously potty trained starts to do some bed wetting again. You may see that your child becoming a little bit more clingy. More insecure. You may find that your child may be asking a lot of questions about not only your pet?s death, but about death in general. Showing signs or asking questions in regards to being fearful of their own death. I think that its very important to be able to use the wisdom, to use family traditions in terms of your religious or spiritual background. To be able to explain or talk to the child and help them to be comforted. To help guild them through that process of asking all these questions. Use their questions as a guild. Generally, the questions children ask, they're not usually wanting a big long lengthy explanation. Typically you can give them a couple sentences and if they need more information and they are ready for more information, they will ask you. I really encourage you to use your children's questions as a guild. Sometimes parents get into the mode of just giving lots and lots of information and that can be overwhelming to the child and they may just not understand a lot of it. So again, use your children questioning as a guide. Give them specific information that they can understand, and then wait and see if they ask for more details"