Dealing with death of a grandparent

Anne - posted on 07/23/2012

Because this post is several years old, I am going to close this post.
Thank you to all who replayed

AnnJanette - posted on 07/23/2012

there is a book called HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS that will help!

AnnJanette - posted on 07/23/2012

There is a book called HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS and talks about when you go to heaven. Great book to share when you lose somebody close to you. It is the kids picture book version of the best-selling HEAVEN IS FOR REAL.

Shelly - posted on 06/12/2009

Amy,

It sounds like the Lord has you in the valley right now...Pleasetake a moment or two to listen to what He is trying to teach you through all of this and just remember that the mountain top is not very far away...May God bless you through this valley and let you shine on the mountain top!!!

Amy - posted on 06/11/2009

Thanks to everyone that took the time to write! We are still struggling, but finding ways to cope. We have let off message balloons on her birthday and mother's day. We have also put together pictures to make a scrapbook of all their memories with their Maw Maw. My girls now wear bracelets with Maw Maw on them and their birthstones along with hers. This has been a great way for them to open up and share about her. I am always honest and answer all their questions to the best of my ability. We have read books and we keep the conversation open. It is the most difficult thing we have gone thru. My father-in-law also had surgery to remove cancer this week. I pray that God protects and comforts us. The Lord is my strength and joy. I must put my trust in him!

Holly - posted on 06/10/2009

O I AM so sorry to hear that my kids lost there papa about 21/2 years ago I honestly think it was the hardest thing ever that i have had to do .YOU can maybe tell them that GOD needed her to be an angel , that they can talk to her.OH no this is making me cry :(

she will not be in any more pain ,she will never be sick ,ect .I know when my dad died from cancer ,the funeral home gave us (me a pamplet )on how to talk to kids about death .you might want to take them to the cematary and let them put or color pitchers or may be put a special toy or take tham to th estoe and let them pick a special flower to put on th esite .good luck im sorry about yr loss

Shelly - posted on 05/21/2009

Amy,

try your local christian book store they should beable to help you find what you are loooking for or talk to your pastor or other women in the church that has already been down this road!!! Sorry for your lose and I will keep your family in my prayers and just ask the Lord to wrap all of you in his blanket of peace...

Anne - posted on 05/21/2009

First let me tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Our daughters are 21 and 25 years old, in 2001 My father died March 15, my husbands father died April 6, and My mother died June 8. I can say that Thankfully all 3 are Christians. In between then our family dog was hit bay a car and killed( I know why was she off a leach ) and my job was eliminated. Although our daughters were older it was still hard for them.

My sister -in-laws children were younger and they took them to the funeral home. I live in Bay City MI and our funeral home director was wonderful. He offered a class of sorts to answer questions and explain what would happen to their grandparents bodies and why they would look different. It was not something our daughters felt comfortable doing so they did not go. ( our daughters are about 20-30 years younger than the rest of the grandchildren on my side of the family because I am the youngest and there is a BIG age difference between myself and my 2 oldest sisters.) Be as honest as you feel your children can understand. DO NOT TELL YOUR CHILDREN SHE HAS GONE TO SLEEP. In young children it can cause a fear of going to sleep. I am sure that you were aware of this concern.

Pray with and for your children about their sadness. Let them know it IS ALL RIGHT to cry and that you and their father may cry also. Sometimes seeing a parent crying can cause children concern. BUT for our loss this is a sad time. Be sure to let them know that God understands their saddens and He will take good care of their Grandmother. For our loved ones that have died as Christians this is a wonderful time for them.

Make sure you have a support group for you to help you through this sad time.
Do not expect their saddens or yours to be over in a few days or even months. Children process grief as they go from one age to another. On this Saturday it will be a bitter sweet day for my family although it has been 8 years since our parents/grandparents have gone on to Glory, our oldest daughter will graduate from college. Three important people in her life will not be there. It is also my father's-in-law birthday. We will smile and be happy for our daughter and fondly remember Grandpa/dad.

The singel most importantthing that helped and contuines to help is the FACT that all 3 of these wonderful family members is that we will see them again. Although we could get into a great big debate as to where the dead in Christ spend this time before the end of time, the important thing is that they are safe, not hurting and we will see them again.
One verse (really 2) that helped me are Romans 8:28-29. and realizing that This did not take God by suprize. He has our days counted out before we are even born. His mercies are new every morning and ALL of his promises are true.

I hope some of this helped. Fell free to contacct me on my wall if you want to talk futher. WE will be out of toew from this Fridsy until Thursday of next week, so it may take me a few days to get back to you.

I will be keeping you and your family in my Prayers. Your Sister in Christ Anne Watkins.

Here are some books on the subject:
Sara's Grandma Goes to Heaven by Maribeth Boelts: I Miss you: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas; and What's Heaven by Maria Shriver.
I have not read all of these but they were in the Christian part of Amazon.com Your Christian book store should have a few books also.

Camille - posted on 05/20/2009

O my! I am very sorry for your loss. I have a 2 and 4 year old, I have thought about this situation but have never had to deal with it thank God. But I ahve talked to my daughter(4) about death, and Heaven, and God. I have a few books I have written down somewhere, I will hunt it down tomorrow and let you know. I have tried to be prepared, my mother-in-law was dignosed with terminal cancer about 9mths ago. I know the day is coming, sadly. I would love to know what other moms think. Talk soon!