# @alexslemonade on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C_TxzURpaLf
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/22701195-alexslemonade-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/1b3d4107ca.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-08-30T21:24:05.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (@AlexsLemonade) — https://gondola.cc/AlexsLemonade

## Caption

How to support grieving siblings: #NationalGriefAwarenessDay

Christian was best friends with his older brother, Grayson. Then Grayson was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma when he was 14. Christian was 12.

Grayson died in 2021, leaving their mother Gloria to guide Christian through his grief. Gloria says siblings are sometimes “the forgotten grievers.” 

“Grief is a lifetime. It will ebb and flow for siblings,” said Kelly Goldin, Bereavement Coordinator at CHOP.

Here are 5 things that Kelly and Gloria shared to support a sibling through the process:

1.  Grief will change as siblings grow. 

While their initial processing may happen when they are very young, the grief journey will be for their lifetime. 

It is important to allow them to revisit the death and acknowledge it in age-appropriate ways. 

2.  Anticipatory grief is part of the process. 

When a child is placed in hospice, the grieving for the family truly begins. Siblings may find themselves managing this stage while also navigating their regular life.

Kelly recommends ensuring siblings have their “person” to go to for support at school and in the community. Partnering with the school can ensure children are able to take breaks when overwhelmed.

3.  Siblings may have different emotions than their parents.

Christian, struggled with anger in the early stages of his grief. Gloria said this was hard for them to watch.

These different emotions are hard to navigate, but finding a middle ground can help everyone feel seen. 

4.  The grief process isn’t always linear. 

Grief comes with ups and downs. Sometimes kids want to talk about their missing sibling and sometimes they do not. 

It took Christian a long time to talk about his brother. He also struggled with being the center of attention.

5.  Comfort is a meaningful ways to help. 

If you have a close relationship with a surviving sibling, check in with them, or support the family by running errands.

ALSF's SuperSibs provides a Grief and Loss Program that includes quarterly mailings with parent resources and activities that help children cope with grief.

Read Full Blog> alexslemonade.org/blog/sibling-grief-5-things-you-need-know

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## Tags

nationalgriefawarenessday

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