| Greetings!
In this issue, as we greet the change from summer into autumn, we'll look at how we can support our children through loss and grief. And as always, while we are learning more about how to guide them, we just might discover a thing or two about how to help ourselves through transitions. |
| Navigating Childhood Grief |
 As parents and caregivers, our first instinct is to protect our children from pain and
loss. When it comes to the loss of a loved one, there is no way to get
around the grief. It's only through grief that we come to acceptance.
A child's developmental stage is the key to how we can help guide them through the process. Some factors that will influence a child's experience and behavior are: - Their primary caregiver's response.
- Their understanding of what death means.
- Their age and ability to communicate/express themselves.
- The respect given their choices regarding participation in the funeral/farewell.
For more information, read this article on grief in early childhood and adolescence, view this chart for how you can help young people to cope and read about how to support a grieving person.Click here for some recommended books and support.
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Losing a Pet in Childhood
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 Every family has to deal with life's challenges in ways that reflect their own
beliefs and values. The following article by Teri Sue Wright, DVM, '06, brings you some perspectives and ideas on ways to deal with the death of a pet.
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Sharing pet loss with children can be an extraordinary opportunity. How
we react is how they will learn to react, as we are their greatest teachers
through experience... Read full article.
While some families don't want to intervene in the process of their
pet's death, others may want to understand more about "putting down" or
euthanising their pet. Thanks so much to Teri Sue for her thoughtful article and wealth of resource materials. |
| Looking Ahead |
Recipes Wanted!!Share your holiday recipes. Send us your quick and easy to fix holiday favorites to post in our next issue. |
| Classified Alumni Ads |
These ads are a service for alumni
and friends of Birth To Three
Alumni Classified Ads Disclaimer: Birth To Three does not
endorse or guarantee any of the products or services
advertised.
We're interested in hearing from you! Please contact:
Classifiedsphone: 541-434-4357; fax: 541-484-1449
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We're interested in hearing from you! Please contact:
Maria Westerhoff, Editor
phone: 541-434-4357; fax: 541-484-1449 | |
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| Message From The Editor |
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Once, I was with a young mother who had just learned of the death of her child's father. She knelt down by her child, pointed to the night sky and said, "Sweetheart, pick a star to be daddy's star. That will be the star that always listens to you. The one you can say, 'Goodnight' to. Your daddy will be there every night, watching over you."
Such a gentle beginning to so great a change in this little one's life.
Maria Westerhoff
Editor/Alumni Liaison
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Wish List
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Volunteers Needed
All Areas!!!
Please let us know what you want to do
to help.
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| Hold That Thought |
"Perhaps, they are not stars
in the sky,
but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know
they are happy."
-- Eskimo legend |
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Masquerade Ball: A Smashing Success!
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The Slug Queen's Slime Ball was a hit and a great time was had by all.
Thank you for a wonderful evening full of fun, laughter and fundraising for Birth To Three. |
| SeQuential
Offers "Driving Change" |
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Fill'er up...and
help
Birth To Three!
If you buy biodiesel at SeQuential Biofuels, be sure to
tell the attendant you want Birth To Three to receive the "Driving Change"
money. When you do, 5 cents of each gallon or 5% of store purchases will come to
Birth To Three.
Thanks! |
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