Helping Children Cope with Grief from Parental Separation

"The Sad Bag is a personalized "coping kit" a child creates, filled with items and activities that help them process sadness, comfort themselves, and release big emotions safely. It is tangible, creative, and portable, something a child can turn to when their grief feels too big to manage on their own. Every child chooses what goes in their bag, making it uniquely theirs."

"Tear Pillow: a decorated pillowcase or small cushion to cry into, hug, or yell into when emotions run high. Wish Journal: a notebook for writing or drawing wishes, memories, or hopes. Art Supplies: crayons, markers, or clay to give shape to feelings when words are hard. Photo Album: a place to hold pictures of loved ones or comforting memories. Worry Dolls or Comfy Stuffed Animals: objects that children can "tell" their worries or project their feelings onto before bed."

Separation from a parent causes deep grief in children that can manifest as irritability, withdrawal, acting out, or loss of trust rather than visible tears. Adults may feel uncertain how to respond or support a grieving child. The Sad Bag provides a tangible, portable coping kit that children customize with items and activities to process sadness, self-soothe, and release strong emotions safely. Typical contents include a tear pillow, wish journal, art supplies, photos, worry dolls, bubbles, and coping idea cards. Choosing and personalizing the bag gives children consistency, agency, and accessible tools during transitions and uncertain times.

Read at Psychology Today