Notice the signs
How might it show up?
Appears early and becomes more nuanced as children understand relationships, memories, disappointment, and loss.
← Back to parent space
A little parent guide
Sadness
A feeling of sorrow or heaviness that can follow loss, disappointment, change, hurt, or missing someone.
One parent to another
Mom is here with you.
Start with the basics
What is sadness?
A feeling of sorrow or heaviness that can follow loss, disappointment, change, hurt, or missing someone.
A thought for parents
What can a parent do?
Let sadness be seen. Listening, staying close, and acknowledging what happened can be more helpful than trying to make the feeling disappear quickly.
A normal part of growing
Is sadness normal in childhood?
A normal part of childhood and of caring about people, relationships, hopes, and meaningful experiences.
Keep exploring
Stories and play
Feelings can be easier to understand when children meet them in stories, play, and everyday conversations.