Grandparents play a very important role in children's lives. Overcoming the death of a grandmother is a difficult experience for all family members. It's a grief that must be shared between parents and children , as her presence was once a vital part of their lives, perhaps even filling the secondary role of a mother in many situations.
The death of a grandmother marks a turning point in learning to value the importance of a family member; we must recognize the special and deep love we felt for her . It is a fact and a circumstance that we all must face, and therefore we must learn to cope with this news together.
Overcoming the death of a grandmother
Sadly, the inevitable has happened; death is a part of life, and that person is no longer with us. The figure of the grandmother is very representative within the family, as it is thanks to her that successive generations have emerged.
It's often the case that these kinds of deaths are viewed more naturally, since they involve elderly people and we accept their loss. But not everyone is affected by a loss in the same way.
If they are young children, it's important to speak clearly and carefully about what happened . If you are one of the people affected, don't hide your pain; crying in front of children is not wrong. They need to know that adults also feel and express their pain as best they can.
For this occasion , surround yourself with your closest family; these are difficult times, and you even have to overcome them by talking about your pain with friends.
How is the figure of the grandmother represented?
She represents a very important figure. It's not known for sure whether her role as a very involved grandmother comes more from her maternal or paternal side, but what is certain is that each family and circumstance is governed in different ways.
It's important to highlight the significance of having passed on all of one's genetic heritage to future generations, especially to daughters and granddaughters. Granddaughters typically resemble their grandmothers more than their mothers. This can even extend to the genetic transmission of all the experiences and traumas a mother has suffered, from one generation to the next.
How should older children get through these moments?
Older children are much more rational, and their understanding may lead them to experience more dramatic moments. They are already capable of remembering everything they were taught and therefore realize all that was done for them.
It's important that mothers and fathers have already passed on the values ​​of the grandmother and all the emotional development she instilled in her grandchildren. The grandmother always wanted to see her grandchildren happy. That made her feel good too, so you should smile in such a situation; your grandmother surely wants to see you that way.
It's good for the child to talk to their parents about their grandmother, since they knew her best. Tell them funny stories or anecdotes from when she was much younger; remembering her with a sense of humor makes it much more pleasant for everyone.
Talking to each other about such a loss will help strengthen the relationship and provide support in the face of such pain. Encouraging the child to lean on friends is also a good outlet; they need to express their feelings and may find someone who shares their experience.