| Helping Children Grieve: TAPS Shares Insights for Parents with Grieving Children During the Holidays The national nonprofit outlines tips for surviving children to cope with their grief WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nov. 19, 2025 — Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) recognizes the holiday season as particularly difficult, confusing, and emotional for survivors, especially children. As we approach the holidays, TAPS has created an exhaustive list of tips for helping your surviving children cope with their grief. “The holidays can be a season of gentle hope. At TAPS, we remember that love does not end—and neither do the stories of those we miss. Each of us can choose what feels right: lighting a candle, saying their name, gathering with others, or finding quiet. When we honor our loved ones and care for ourselves, we make room for comfort, connection, and even joy. We don’t walk this path alone; we walk it together, held by love,” said Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder of TAPS.” TAPS reminds caregivers that a child’s grief can fluctuate between sadness and wanting to participate in the festivities. It is natural for them to have moments of happiness, and these do not diminish the depth of their feelings. The organization’s tips for helping children through the holidays include: Be Honest: Children are intuitive about the emotions around them. It can be helpful to share your own feelings and ask them how they are feeling about the holidays to strengthen your bond. Encourage Expression: Make a safe and understanding environment for children to express their emotions and find support. Encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings can alleviate their worries and foster a closer connection. Make a Flexible Plan: A thoughtful plan that considers each family member’s needs can provide comfort and structure. Discuss with your children how they want to celebrate, and acknowledge that everyone’s approach to grief may differ. Keep What Matters: It is okay to be open to changing traditions while also maintaining familiar ones. Keeping some traditions unchanged provides a sense of normalcy and security for children, while adapting to new rituals can honor a loved one’s memory. Seeking a deeper dive or a spokesperson to discuss holiday grief? Please contact Dylan Steadman (dylan.steadman@evocatillc.com) to schedule an interview with Lisa Zucker, MSW, CT, Director of Strategic Planning and Implementation at TAPS. A Certified Thanatologist with a master’s degree in social work, Lisa has over 20 years of experience working in grief, trauma, and crisis response. Lisa has served on boards focused on aging and bereavement, and was a founding member of Professionals United for Parkland offering trauma support and training following the 2018 school shooting at MSD High School. She has led community debriefings, educational events, and training about grief and trauma nationwide. TAPS offers specialized resources for all survivors of every age, inclusive of all relationships from parents to children, spouses to siblings, battle buddies to extended family, and everything in between. To learn more about how TAPS can support you or your surviving loved ones, visit taps.org/resources. More tips for navigating the holiday season can be found at taps.org/coping-during-holidays. |