How do children react to a siblings death?
The death of a sibling often leaves remaining siblings feeling guilty. They may assume that they did something to cause the death. It’s important to simply explain the details of the death and reassure them they had nothing to do with it. Children may also be angry at their sibling for leaving, or angry at the doctors for not being able to save the sibling. Younger children may be very irritable, have nightmares, play very vigorously, or do things that are self destructive. Older children may deny their pain, withdraw, or act in self destructive ways. All of these responses are normal. Through all this, continually tell your surviving children that they are loved, that it’s okay to feel the way they do, and that the intensity of their feelings will ease a bit over time. Resist the urge to chastise children for their feelings; instead, allow them to react naturally.
