Children often try to understand the illness of their loved one by acting out, through play, what they observe and hear or by pretending to be the patient. This behavior gives them a sense of mastery and control over an environment that seems uncertain. Help children understand what the illness is and answer questions they may have. Anger and Explosive Emotions - Putting feelings into words can be difficult for children. Anger, rage, and acting out behaviors are often the expression of deeper, more complex feelings.
Children are often upset with any changes in living pattern.
Sometimes anger is felt toward the person who is sick for not being able to spend time with them or for leaving them. Be a supportive stabilizer by validating these feelings though safe expression i.e., through play and drawing about the experience and by encouraging healthy physical outlets for energy and emotions. Many times children think that they caused the illness of death of their loved one. Avoid comments that might reinforce the thought that death is a form of punishment. Help them understand that some things in life can not be controlled by how we think or feel.