The Garden A Center for Grieving Children and Teens

We are pleased to announce our fall programming for youth and their families. There are no limits on how, where, or when the death occurred. We welcome grieving youth, ages 5-18, and an adult caregiver to join other families this fall on Sunday afternoons. After an opening circle, everyone breaks up into small groups based on age. We will have planned activities, projects, and games.

There will be TWO in-person family support sessions for grieving children and their caregiver(s). These sessions will run on Sundays from 2-4 pm on October 20 and November 3.

There will also be TWO online family support sessions for grieving children and their caregiver(s). These virtual sessions will run from 630-8 pm on Mondays, October 29 and November 18.

Attend all or attend just one. Free of charge. Call today to set up an intake at 413 727 5749.

In August, we participated in the Easthampton Overdose Awareness Candle Light Vigil at Millside Park. We truly appreciate the opportunity to be at this special event. Shelly Bathe Lenn, Director of The Garden, pictured at the table.

Here is another reading by The Caring Place, "Niko Draws a Feeling' by Robert Raczka. This book offers a great way for caregivers to discuss feelings with children such as how they feel or what feelings even are!

Hope Through Children's Books (Niko Draws a Feeling) Our Hope Through Children’s Books series continues with Niko Draws a Feeling by Robert Raczka. This book is a great way to discuss with children what feeling...

The Caring Place put together a variety of videos reading books on grief for children and teens. Listen in to "My Heart Sings a Sad Song" by Gary Alan Shockley. This is a good book for adults to read to young children who have experienced a death.

Hope Through Children's Books (My Heart Sings a Sad Song) Our Hope Through Children’s Books series continues with My Heart Sings a Sad Song by Gary Alan Shockley. This book is a good book for adults to read to young...

Creating a memento box will allow your child to have a collection of special items that remind them of the person who has died. Our 16-year-old pet cat Gabby recently died so our family created a memory box. We put in her favorite toys, pictures of her, her brush, as well as many other special items. It has been a source of comfort when we want to remember our special friend.

Dougy's Place has an activity sheet on the steps in creating your own memento box -https://www.dougy.org/assets/uploads/Create-a-Memento-Box.pdf

A death in a young person's life can create a lot of stress for the young person as well as the caregivers. Caregivers, who may be grieving as well, are now dealing with complicated dynamics in the household. Judi's House has created a tip sheet for caregivers with tips -https://judishouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Pathfinders-Caregiving-Skills-Handout-FINAL_English-1.pdf

Always Sisters by Sair Mir tells the story of a family's miscarriage. The story shows how the older sister, Raya, is looking forward to being a big sister to Nura. She draws pictures for Nura and dreams of all the things she wants to do with her little sister. Everything changes when mom has a miscarriage. Together the family supports each other and their range of emotions. We would have appreciated it if the author chose to use the word "dead" instead of "lost" when talking about what happened to Nura. Choosing to use dead, death, dying, and not euphemisms with young children can help them better understand what happened. For example, when explaining miscarriage to a young child one could say, "We don't know why but something happened to the baby and it died. When it happens during pregnancy it is called miscarriage."
Here's a video of the author reading it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRIjTW1xW7Q
Here's a link to the book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62918307-always-sisters

Always Sisters read aloud with Saira Mir | Read & Learn with Simon Kids Author Saira Mir reads aloud from Always Sisters. [CW: pregnancy loss] This much-needed picture book about navigating the difficult experience of pregnancy ...

One way for a young grieving person to remember and feel closer to the person who died is to hear and tell stories about that person's life. There can be so many memories and stories to share and Dougy's Center has created a Family Story Tree activity. Visit their website to get the activity sheet - https://www.dougy.org/activities/create-your-family-story-tree

Watch our video offering ideas on books for grieving young people!

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As children and teens head back to school in the next couple of weeks, the caregivers of grieving children and teens may worry about what the new school year will bring and how to be a support to them. Here are some tips for caregivers.

And remember, The Garden offers a program within schools for grieving children and teens. We play a crucial role in supporting grieving students as they navigate the complexities of loss. These groups offer a safe and nurturing environment where students can openly share their thoughts and memories of their special person. Meeting weekly for eight weeks within the school premises, these closed groups provide a structured space for healing and remembrance. The schools actively identify and support grieving students, ensuring they have a private and secure setting for their group sessions.

When Grieving Children & Teens Go Back to School - The Children's Room When Grieving Children & Teens Go Back to School The school supplies are on the shelves in the stores already. It is almost time to gather books and backpacks and to recalibrate our bodies and minds to the season change and the rhythms set by the school year. Once again, parents are facing

After attending the 27th annual National Alliance for Children's Grief conference in Denver, Colorado this month, we picked up ideas for working with grieving children and teens. In the Artful Minds: Navigating Grief through Creativity workshop, we each made a “journey stick” that we adorned with all kinds of yarn, wire, rocks, shells, etc. In the Reimagining…Discovering the Value of Virtual Services workshop, we made feelings boxes.

Reading books to grieving children can offer a way for them to express how they are feeling, and open a door to conversation. Listen in as Shelly Bathe Lenn, Director of The Garden, reads 'One Wave at a Time,' by Holly Thompson.

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Did you know that The Garden is available to partner with local schools across western MA to support grieving students?

School-based groups help grieving students share and remember about their special person in a safe space. These closed groups meet weekly for eight weeks during the school day and in the school building. Schools help identify grieving students and locate a private meeting spot for this weekly group. There are no limits on how or where the death occurred. The Garden will conduct intakes with each student and provide curriculum, staffing, and materials. There is no charge to families or the school. If your school is interested in partnering with The Garden, call us today at 413-727-5749 or email, Shelly Bathe Lenn at [email protected].

In a group we led recently at an elementary school we talked about Worries. We read “Worries” by Paul Christelis, and brought in materials for every group member to make their own worry doll.

This year marks 30 years since my father died on April 4th of renal cancer. Colorado has always been a special place for our family. We would escape to CO when the summers in Houston were unbearable. One particular year I recall our trek up Mt. Evans on the highest paved road in North America. This year I had the opportunity to attend the 27th annual National Alliance for Children’s Grief conference in Denver, CO. I arrived the weekend before the conference to have some fun with my son, Evan—who is named after Mt. Evans. Of course, we had to make the trek up to Mt. Evans, which by the way has now been renamed Mt. Blue Sky. Remembering those in our lives who have died can involve a wide array of activities. One doesn’t have to go to the top of a mountain but instead can walk in a place that is special to your person, write them a letter, or play their favorite music and have a dance party!

- Shelly Bathe Lenn, Director of The Garden

Attending the 27th annual National Alliance for Children's Grief conference in Denver, CO, we reconnected with friends in the field, and picked up many ideas for work with grieving youth and their families! In The Playful Power of Puppets workshop, we learned some easy steps for engaging with grieving children using puppets.

There are many ways to support a grieving child, but one critical way is by listening. The National Alliance for Children's Grief created a guide, 'Listening on Repeat,' that gives tips and resources on how to be a supportive listener to a grieving child.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/d00c9d93-bcf2-4883-9a13-deb9af3fe03a

The Garden provides support to grieving young people ages 5-18, and their families following the death of someone close, including parents, siblings, other family members, or friends. There are no limits on how, where, or when the death occurred.

We aim to give grieving young people a safe place to share, remember, and connect with others who are also grieving.

For more information, visit our website - www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/the-garden/

Shelly Bathe Lenn was recently interviewed on WHMP - listen in! https://soundcloud.com/whmp/the-gardens-shelly-bathe-lenn?in=whmp/sets/good-grief-larry-jane

Being a caregiver to a grieving teen can present numerous challenges. However, it is important to remember that the most crucial aspect is providing a non-judgmental environment and offering safe avenues for them to express themselves. The National Alliance for Children's Grief has developed a comprehensive guide outlining the DOs and DON'Ts for caregivers supporting grieving teenagers, empowering you with the tools and knowledge to make a positive impact during this sensitive time.

We are a proud member of NACG National Alliance for Children's Grief. Their website offers a variety of resources and education if you are supporting a grieving child. Visit their website to learn more -

National Alliance for Children's Grief | Home Page The NACG raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who supports them

Losing someone close as a child or teen can bring new challenges such as how to create new memories. It may feel like they are forgetting that person. The Dougy Center offers Grief Out Loud podcast which has one that discusses "How To Make New Memories." There are many more available, so take a look!

https://www.dougy.org/news-media/podcasts/how-to-make-new-memories

Whether it is the loss of a grandparent or a family pet, the grieving process can be difficult and every child's grief journey will be different. Those caring for grieving children and teens are often left to wonder how they can help. The Child Mind Institute created a comprehensive guide that will provide guidance in answering those many questions. Tips are broken down into a range of ages and experiences.

Helping Children Cope With Grief Helping Children Cope With Grief

Looking for books on grief for children and teens, but not sure what options are available for what age range? Judi's House created a comprehensive list of books that address grief and loss and listed them by appropriate age group.
https://judishouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Judis-House-Grief-Books-List_2023_FINAL.pdf

Experience Camps is open to grieving kids—kids entering grades 4th-12th grade. Located in beautiful Maine, Experience Camps offers 5 nights of summer fun including transportation from the Boston area. Apply today!

Camp - Experience Camps Camp Experience Camps are free one-week camps for children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. We provide a safe environment where kids can explore their grief, break the isolation they may feel with their non-camp peers, and have a whole lot of fun. Camp dates....

Summer is upon us and the season could offer mixed emotions for children or teens who are grieving. The Dougy Center offers tips and activities for those who have grieving children and teens to consider this summer -https://www.dougy.org/assets/uploads/Summer_time_and_grief.pdf

Helping a grieving child or teen can be even more challenging if the caregiver is grieving the death of a loved one as well. Judi's House created 'Caregiving Skills,' which offers guidance and tools to help the caregiver support the grieving child or teen.

Nine Caregiving Skills - Judi's House Caregiving skills to help you establish your own style in supporting a grieving child.

Gathering with family and friends, eating special foods, and sharing memories can be meaningful for your grieving child to remember the loved one who has died. The Dougy Center offers a summer picnic activity to help them remember those special memories -https://www.dougy.org/assets/uploads/documents/Summer-Time-Picnic.pdf

It's not too early to think about summer! Experience Camps is open to grieving kids—kids entering grades 4th-12th grade. Located in beautiful Maine, Experience Camps offers 5 nights of summer fun including transportation from the Boston area. Apply today!

Camp - Experience Camps Camp Experience Camps are free one-week camps for children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. We provide a safe environment where kids can explore their grief, break the isolation they may feel with their non-camp peers, and have a whole lot of fun. Camp dates....