When Your Child Is Grieving: God's Hope and Wisdom for the Journey Toward Healing

by Amy E. Ford

Overview

To Heal Your Child’s Broken Heart, Start with Hope
 
How can you help your child get through a deeply painful loss—the breakup of a family, the death of a pet, or even the passing of a loved one—especially when you might be dealing with your own grief?
 
God sees your family’s pain and longs to walk through it with you. It’s one of the reasons He sent His Son, Jesus—to heal our broken hearts. Most important, God wants to give your child hope.     
 
Dr. Amy Ford is a licensed professional counselor, professor, and parent who specializes in complex psychological issues, including trauma and grief. She offers spiritual encouragement from God’s Word and expert advice to address your child’s specific needs. You will gain the wisdom, skills, and practical ideas you need to help your child during this difficult time.
 
Grieving can be a long and difficult process, especially for children, but with God’s help and the loving support of friends and family, grief can give way to new life. Your child will get through this…and so will you. 
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780736975957
Publisher:	Harvest House Publishers
Publication date:	07/02/2019
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	1,133,953
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Amy O’Hana, PhD, is a writer and teacher. Integrating psychological and spiritual concepts, Amy helps women create whole, fulfilling lives. As an Oregon licensed professional counselor, Amy specializes in difficult issues such as trauma, depression, grief, and adjustment. Amy lives in the mountains of Central Oregon and enjoys creating warm spaces, thinking deep thoughts, and coffee conversations with loved ones.
 
 

Table of Contents

Begin with the Most Important Thing 9

1 Provisions for the Journey 13

2 When You're Grieving Too 23

3 Rest, Breathe, Connect 35

4 Speaking the Unspeakable 47

5 The Really Big Feelings 59

6 The Crazies 71

7 It's So Messed Up (When Your Teen Is Grieving) 81

8 Saying Goodbye to Someone Special 93

9 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn 105

10 Remembering 115

11 The Loss of a Parent 125

12 The Death or Disability of a Sibling 137

13 The Loss of a Family 147

14 When to Get Professional Help 157

15 Let the Little Children Come 169

16 Great Will Be Your Children's Peace 181

The Next Step 193

16 Special Skills for Parenting Grieving Children 197

Answers to Tough Theological Questions About Death and Loss 199

Notes 205

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“When Your Child Is Grieving provides a helpful balance—recognizing the strength found in our faith while using tools from the mental health community to address this difficult subject. Amy Ford's encouragement, insights, and practical advice give the tools you need to help a child cope with loss. I highly recommend this much-needed resource.”
—Darlene Brock, author of Raising Great Girls and co-host of This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

“As a pastor, mother of three, and professional counselor, I found this book to be an oasis in a desert place. When Your Child Is Grieving vividly illustrates the devastating darkness of grief in a child’s life and shines the light of God’s remarkable power to bring hope and healing. This book is a compassionate and strategic guide for parents of grieving children.”
—Sandra Stubbs, licensed professional counselor and senior pastor

“Dr. Amy Ford has written a book that is both a practical guide to supporting children in grief and a source of inspiration and hope for parents and caregivers. Her words drip with grace and encouragement as she draws from her clinical knowledge and personal experience. I highly recommend this guide for any educator who daily works to support children experiencing grief and loss.”
—Heidi Brown, elementary school principal

“As a director of a nonprofit benefiting orphans, foster children, and children impacted by family separation, I see firsthand how the burden of grief can traumatize children. When Your Child Is Grieving is a relatable, heartfelt resource for caregivers of grieving children. It introduces scientific child-development principles for trauma-informed healing and provides practical guidance and applications to empower those experiencing grief at a young age. The helpful summaries of key points, specific parenting skills, and activities for caregivers to practice with children will promote conversation, growth, and hope. When Your Child Is Grieving is an essential tool for caregivers of grieving children and for young adults who experienced grief at a young age.”
—Tammy Teske, director of programs, SPOON Foundation

“With compassion and kindness, Amy Ford provides the tools parents need to minister effectively to their grieving, brokenhearted children and to provide the comfort, security, and healing those kids need. I was touched by the way Dr. Ford lays a foundation of grace and spiritual guidance for parents who must nurture their children through times of loss. She also provides a clinically sound approach to applying the wisdom you need. You may even discover some gaps in your own childhood development that have followed you into adulthood. Finding hope for more healing in your own life will greatly enhance your ability to help the child you love so dearly.”
—Tim Ravan, president, Global Connectors

Editorial Reviews

When Your Child Is Grieving provides a helpful balance—recognizing the strength found in our faith while using tools from the mental health community to address this difficult subject. Amy Ford's encouragement, insights, and practical advice give the tools you need to help a child cope with loss. I highly recommend this much-needed resource.”
—Darlene Brock, author of Raising Great Girls and co-host of This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

“As a pastor, mother of three, and professional counselor, I found this book to be an oasis in a desert place. When Your Child Is Grieving vividly illustrates the devastating darkness of grief in a child’s life and shines the light of God’s remarkable power to bring hope and healing. This book is a compassionate and strategic guide for parents of grieving children.”
—Sandra Stubbs, licensed professional counselor and senior pastor

“Dr. Amy Ford has written a book that is both a practical guide to supporting children in grief and a source of inspiration and hope for parents and caregivers. Her words drip with grace and encouragement as she draws from her clinical knowledge and personal experience. I highly recommend this guide for any educator who daily works to support children experiencing grief and loss.”
—Heidi Brown, elementary school principal

“As a director of a nonprofit benefiting orphans, foster children, and children impacted by family separation, I see firsthand how the burden of grief can traumatize children. When Your Child Is Grieving is a relatable, heartfelt resource for caregivers of grieving children. It introduces scientific child-development principles for trauma-informed healing and provides practical guidance and applications to empower those experiencing grief at a young age. The helpful summaries of key points, specific parenting skills, and activities for caregivers to practice with children will promote conversation, growth, and hope. When Your Child Is Grieving is an essential tool for caregivers of grieving children and for young adults who experienced grief at a young age.”
—Tammy Teske, director of programs, SPOON Foundation

“With compassion and kindness, Amy Ford provides the tools parents need to minister effectively to their grieving, brokenhearted children and to provide the comfort, security, and healing those kids need. I was touched by the way Dr. Ford lays a foundation of grace and spiritual guidance for parents who must nurture their children through times of loss. She also provides a clinically sound approach to applying the wisdom you need. You may even discover some gaps in your own childhood development that have followed you into adulthood. Finding hope for more healing in your own life will greatly enhance your ability to help the child you love so dearly.”
—Tim Ravan, president, Global Connectors

From the Publisher