For a lot of us, pets are not merely animals that we take care of for a while, but they can become real members of the family. This can be especially true of children, to whom the pet might have been a much larger part of their life. As such, when it comes time to say goodbye to a pet, you want to make sure that you’re taking care of your children’s needs and helping them acclimate to the loss. Hopefully, the tips below can help with that.
Help them process what has happened
For some children, the loss of a family pet is one of the first encounters they might have with the concept of death. Even children who are aware of what it is might not be ready for how it can hit them. Explaining the concept to them can help them better digest what has happened and get on the road to accepting that their friend is no longer there and books like The Rainbow Bridge have proven to be great for helping children who are experiencing pet grief, too.
Give them a real send-off
If you treat your pet as a member of the family, then it shouldn’t be too odd to give them the kind of goodbye with some preparation and importance placed on saying goodbye. Whether you set aside a plot of land for them, opt for compassionate pet cremation services or something else entirely, you should take the time to say some words for them and to be together as a family. It can help to show your children that you are there, feeling the same emotions with them being supportive as a family.
Make space for their memory
Don’t expect your child to forget about their beloved pet too quickly. In fact, it can help to instead make it clear that the family pet has a place in your heart and your home even after they are gone. There are plenty of pet memorial ideas you can go for, with photos on the wall being one of the easiest and most common ones.
Be mindful of their emotional state
Some people are going to have more trouble getting over the death of a family pet than others. You should ensure that you are not judgemental or trying to get them to move on quicker than they are ready, but rather you should show compassion, care and, when it’s warranted, concern for them. A pet grief counsellor may be some help in getting your child to process their emotions in a healthier way so that they are able to return to a more balanced emotional state in the future.
It can take some time for a child to accept the loss of a pet, especially if they were particularly close with it. Don’t try to rush anything, let them feel their emotions at their own pace. If they do, at some point, wish to welcome another furry family friend into the home, it can help, too.