How to help a bereaved and upset 8yr old boy

[Flooglebob]

My son is 8 years old. His Dad was murdered two years ago and obviously this is a source of sadness but my little boy has been coping really well - my husband worked away from home a lot so he wasn't a constant presence in the house although he is of course missed.

Over the past few weeks my little boy has become more and more tearful and doesn't want to go to afterschool club. I have asked if he is being bullied or if there is anything else going on but he just won't open up to me and its driving me mad! Over the past few days my son has started saying that he just misses his Daddy. Now of course this could be true (its coming up for the second anniversary of his death) but I feel he is saying that so I wont ask him anymore. Any advice or tips on how to get him to open up would be most appreciated!

So sorry to hear about your DH. Have Winston's Wish been if any use?

I did take him along and he was assessed but they said he was coping so well there service wasn’t needed. I think that was true at the time but now he seems to be struggling 😢

Do you talk about Dad at home much? Are there many photos of him around?

It could be that one of his friends talks about his dad a lot, or that there was a father/son event.

It might be useful asking MNHQ to move this thread to the bereavement section too OP. You might get some of the lovely MNers in there responding with some of their experiences

Thank you - that’s a good idea. All new here!

Yes, we talk about Daddy a lot, loads of photos, memory box etc. It’s so hard for him seeing Daddies all over the place. My heart breaks for him 💔