What do i say to a fifth grader who just lost her mama?

Question

I am a teacher at a school. One of the students whom use to be in my class lost her mama suddenly. I feel so bad for her and want to say the right things to her or write the perfecrt thing to her in a card. I should have the right answers but im just marshmellow:{ Please help this just breaks my heart so bad. Ps parents are divorced

Answer 1

there is no easy answer to that question..what i try to do is think...if it had happened to me...what would i have wanted to hear or be told ? just letting her know you are there for her may be the most awesome thing you can do for her just now..she'll find a way to ask for and say what she needs as long as she knows you will be there if she need's someone to talk too bless you that is a very hard one indeed

Answer 2

If the kid is religious, tell her that if she says a prayer to her mother every night her mother will watch out for her and try to help her in life. I'm not religious at all now but, I lost a parent age 11 and this is the one thing I remember someone saying that actually helped

I also really like the journal idea above.

Answer 3

I would just be supportive and maybe in some way relate to her that sometimes things happen in this world.  Let her know that nothing was her fault or her mothers fault.

Answer 4

Hug her and tell her that you heard about her mama and you are very very sorry. tell her to come to you if she needs anything or just wants to talk.

Answer 5

give her a big bear hug and let her know how much you care. Maybe take it a bit easier on her, but let her know that shes a beautiful girl and that her mama will always love her!

Answer 6

Give her a HUG and let her know you're around to listen.  You could give her a card, but a heartfelt hug from one to another is the best.

Answer 7

by her a journal and a stuffed animal, explain to her that you know she misses her mom. and that you bought her this journal so she could write down all the things she will want to say to her mother and that way her mother will always know what is in her heart and always be with her.

Answer 8

ask her if you could be her new mommie then say jk

Answer 9

Just let her know that she is in your thoughts and prayers. And that if she ever needs you, you are there to talk to her or help her find the help she needs.  Give her your home phone #.

There is nothing you can say that will make it better, but just thoughtfulness and availability will let her know she is isn't alone.

Answer 10

There are no right answers when this type of tragedy occurs.

Think about things from her perspective, and the questions she has - Who will take care of her?  Is her father going to  die?  Is she going to be treated differently than other children?

Talk to her on her level.  Tell her you care, that you and many other caring adults will be her for her, that it's OK to be upset for a very long time.

However, you have to get over this marshmallow thing.  She needs you to be calm and caring, not falling apart.