what should i do for my son who's grieving his grandfathers death?

Question

my son lost his grandfather (dad's side) in april he just came home from spending half of the summer with his dad and grandma and at bed time just started bawling about wanting his grandpa back. i asked if this has been going on for a while and he said no, i asked why he didn't do this over there and he said because of the ern. nothing i say seems to calm him down and god knows they aren't going to hand over the ern. i'm trying to come up with pictures but it's not on his dads priority list at 12am but i can't get him to calm down...currently i've told him take a bath this seems to calm me down but he hasn't done it yet. i want to comfort him but at this moment it doesn't seem to matter what i say... any ideas would be great. i've already told at least in heaven he's not suffering and the come back was why can't god send him back without suffering... i'm lost here

Answer 1

I dont know your sons age,but it sounds as if he is a pre-teen.My son lost his paternal grandad last year,and the other granddad when he was 9 yrs old.Children can get on one thing,and stay there for awhile.They can be distracted,and maybe you can bring up a memory of some kind that you know was a happy time for him.Dont ignore the grief,just distract from it,especially late at night.You know your son,and his interests,and that will help this along.I would look into some books that help with this as well.You could also say,"Ok...we will spend 15mins discussing a happy moment with granddad,but then we will go to bed".I hope something helps,and it will.Be a shoulder for him,if he crys himself to sleep,that can be a healing for him also.

Answer 2

sounds like your son is really young. buy a similar ern and fill it with saw dust. take him to a park and fill a baloon with saw dust.then you can let the baloon go and tell him that grandpa has gone to heaven. tell him that if he releases grandpa then he will be happy with god.

Answer 3

you can remind him of all the good times that they had together and that his grandfather wouldnt want him sad. just keep talking to him and keep letting him know your there for him, it takes time be strong for him.