Missing Them at the Table: Helping Kids Grieve During the Holidays
The holiday season often brings a mix of emotions like joy, connection, and excitement. But for many children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one, this time of year can feel confusing, isolating, or even painful.
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we know that the holidays can amplify grief, especially for young people who may not yet have the tools to express or make sense of what they’re feeling.
Whether they’ve experienced the recent loss of a parent, grandparent, sibling, pet or someone else close to them, or are feeling the grief from years past, the bustling holiday season can be an experience that may feel overwhelming and confusing.
Credit Image: Unsplash Mieke Campbell @miekelauren
Why the Holidays Are So Hard for Grieving Kids
Children often experience grief differently than adults. They might not have the vocabulary to name their emotions or the confidence to easily talk about them. During the holidays, they may feel:
On a different page than their friends and peers who are excited or carefree during the holiday season
Guilty about feeling happy or participating in celebrations
Anxiety about family gatherings, changed traditions, or noticing who is missing
Anger or withdrawal, which can look like misbehavior rather than signs of grief
Teens in particular may carry a sense of responsibility to “stay strong” for others, while internally struggling with their own emotions.
How Counseling Can Help
Counseling offers a safe, supportive space where kids and teens can unpack these feelings, experiences, and memories without pressure, judgment, or expectations.
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we specialize in helping young people process grief in developmentally appropriate ways. At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, our St. Louis therapist team uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combined with creative expression (like art, writing, or play), and mindfulness strategies.
Some of the ways we help include:
Normalizing grief and helping kids understand that their feelings make sense
Building an emotional vocabulary so they can name and express what’s going on
Developing coping tools they can use at school, at home, and in moments of sadness
Creating space for remembering - because honoring a loved one’s memory can be a source of comfort
Supporting parents and caregivers to navigate a season full of both joy and grief
Supporting Your Child
As a parent, you can help them by honoring the memory of their loved one in meaningful ways. Here are a few ideas to keep their memory present during the holidays:
Create a Memory Ornament or Decoration – Invite your child to decorate an ornament with photos, drawings, or a message for their loved one.
Share Stories – Tell happy or funny stories about the person.
Share Their Favorite Foods – Make a dish they loved or grab a snack they often enjoyed and talk about them.
Start a Tradition in Their Honor – Whether it’s a small act of kindness, visiting a favorite place, or donating to a cause they cared about.
Extra Support is Available
If your child or teen is grieving this holiday season, please know they don’t have to navigate it alone. Grief is a natural response to loss, but without support, it can become a heavy burden for young people to carry.
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, our team of St. Louis therapists are experienced in helping children and teens make sense of their emotions, understand their experiences, and feel a little less alone, especially during difficult seasons.
Support for Parents is Available
Being a parent is a tough job - and it can be even harder when your child is experiencing grief. Our therapeutic parent coaching is here to support you with compassionate guidance and practical tools to help you support your child.
Reach Out to Learn More
If you’re wondering whether counseling might be helpful for your child or teen, we’d be honored to talk with you. You can schedule a free consultation to learn more about our St. Louis therapist team at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis and how we can help.
Curious to learn more about grief therapy for your child? Reach out to us at hello@compassionatecounselingstl.com. As child anxiety experts, we love working with kids, teens, college students and parents to help manage their grief, anxiety, stress, and anger. Compassionate Counseling St. Louis is located in Clayton, MO and works with families by offering both in-person counseling and online therapy throughout St. Louis, Creve Couer, Ballwin, Town and Country, Brentwood, and Ladue. We also provide online therapy Missouri -wide to teens and college students. You can set up your free consult, on our consultation page.