How to Talk to Your Kids About Death

De: Jessica Borelli, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Jessica Borelli

The experience of loss is universal, and yet grief is a varied and individual ordeal. Children especially need comfort and guidance when dealing with the confusion and intense emotions of a loss, and it is up to the adults in their lives to provide this crucial support—but our own emotions can make this difficult task even more daunting.

In the six lectures of How to Talk to Your Kids About Death, professor and practicing psychologist Dr. Jessica Borelli will help you navigate the complexities of discussing death with children in a way that offers them the support and attention they need at such a confusing time. With Dr. Borelli’s guidance, you’ll learn:

• Why it is crucial to center yourself first so you are better prepared to help others;
• What kind of language to use to best present distressing information;
• To see from a child’s perspective to better understand and anticipate their reactions;
• Why it is important to try to discuss death and dying before a child actually experiences loss;
• How to help process emotions beyond sadness—such as fear, anger, or guilt.

These and other aspects of communication will form an invaluable toolbox for when you must deal with the difficult conversations surrounding death and mortality. By looking at these conversations from the perspective of a child—someone lacking the crucial tools and experience to process grief on their own—you will be better prepared for this unfortunate but inevitable situation. Whether you must prepare a child for the death of a beloved pet or deliver the news of a sudden illness in the family, the strategies Dr. Borelli provides will help you be the empathetic, supportive, and reassuring presence every child needs in times of grief and loss.

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A must read for ALL parents

Dr. Jessica Borelli's audiobook, How to Talk to Your Kids About Death, is a brilliantly crafted guide that addresses a universally challenging topic for parents with empathy and insight. Dr. Borelli provides practical strategies for navigating these difficult conversations. What sets this audiobook apart is her emphasis on self-compassion and care, highlighting that the grieving process involves not only supporting your children, but also tending to your own emotional needs as a parent.

Sensitive, Practical, and Effective

No one wants to experience the death of a loved one, but the idea of having to break news of that death to your vulnerable child as you yourself grieve over that loss is possibly your worst nightmare. In How to Talk to Your Kids About Death, Psychologist/Professor Jessica Borelli takes the listener sensitively and empathetically through the whens, wheres, whys, and hows of navigating the distressing task of sharing devastating news. She presents options that allow for individual parenting styles and respect differences in children's coping styles and differences in cultural and religious traditions. In some cases the suggestions allow for flexibility, and in some cases the recommendations are firm and specific. Dr. Borelli offers research support for her recommendations and examples to explain her reasoning, all with complete clarity. To the listener, the recommendations and step-by-step processes are a comfort and make perfect sense. What a gift to all of us who someday will need guidance through this unbearably complex task in the midst of grieving a personal loss. And what a gift to your child, who looks to you for strength and reassurance, and finds it! Thank you to Dr. Borelli for this most important presentation.

Amazing content and presentation, every parent should listen to this!

I loved how easy it was to listen to and how the approaches to talk about death can also apply to so much more…from a dropped ice cream cone to the most difficult things imaginable for a parent. I wish that this book had been out years ago. An absolute must read/listen for any parent!

Practical steps and reassuring advice!

Jessica Borelli offers practical suggestions for what can be an overwhelming topic. She talks about what steps to take in conversations with children of different ages and how to care for ourselves. Her advice helps talk about death and converse with children and adults about other difficult topics. The lectures provide a valuable toolbox for handling various scenarios, from pet loss to family illness. Dr. Borelli's expertise as a practicing psychologist lends credibility to the content.

While the subject matter is inherently heavy, the course offers a balanced, supportive approach. It could be particularly beneficial for parents, educators, and caregivers seeking to provide children with the emotional support they need during times of loss. Dr. Borelli's audiobook is a thoughtful, well-structured resource for anyone looking to navigate this difficult but essential aspect of child development and family communication.

Comfort, Clarity, and Conversations about Grief

Death is a concept that is frightening and difficult to grasp for all adults, let alone children who are barely beginning to understand how the world works. In How to Talk to Your Kids about Death, Dr. Borelli breaks down the tools and steps needed to mentally prepare parents to help their children process and heal from grief, extending empathy and compassion not only to the kids but also to themselves. By guiding readers through a series of practical do’s and don’ts, Dr. Borelli uses a combination of evidence-based theories, conventional wisdom, and example scenarios to make sense of how to approach specific conversations that might otherwise seem impossible.

When I first started the book, I felt distant from the topic, as discussing death with a child seemed like an unusual and unlikely situation in our everyday lives. However, the lectures persuasively highlight that loss and grief are inevitable parts of life, making it important to understand and process these experiences- even for young children. Dr. Borelli provides detailed and practical advice on when, where, and how to approach the subject, offering strategies to prepare children for these conversations, initiate them thoughtfully, and support each child’s unique grieving process. By addressing cultural factors, individual parenting styles, and children’s personalities, she curates a thoughtful guide that makes this daunting task feel approachable. Beyond its guidance for navigating discussions about death, the book also helps readers find comfort and resolve in their own feelings about grief, while preparing them to approach any difficult conversations with children with empathy and confidence. I would highly recommend this book to parents, educators, and anyone with an interest in psychology or child development.