Pushing away –

• It’s common for kids to avoid things that remind them of the loss including:

o   Places

o   People

o   Memories

o   Pictures in your head.

Distraction –

• Sometimes kids will spend a lot of time on screens, play video games or watch tv a lot to avoid thinking about the loss.

Doing less fun activities –

• Many kids do less things they used to enjoy, like playing with friends or sport.

• Sometimes they have thoughts like ‘I shouldn’t do nice things when I am grieving’, ‘doing nice things won’t help me’, or feeling guilty for having fun.

Changes in eating and sleeping –

• Often kids will find it harder to get to sleep, or sleep a lot when they are grieving.

• Sometimes they will feel very hungry, or not hungry at all.

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