Grieving children!

It was a difficult day at work.

One child was in great distress, crying inconsolably and avoiding to be present anywhere near strangers. He has recently become clingy and intolerant towards the absence of his parents. He has been separated from his parents on two occasions, each time for one year in his short childhood of three years! His parents have had to leave him behind on account of their job overseas.

Another child who recently has developed some undesirable behaviour mannerisms and body manipulations indicated some distress on account of the stressful situations at home! The interview with the family was disturbing because the child's unspoken needs do not get the attention of parents. 

Even in a short time of three years, I have observed an increase in the number of children coming with grief reaction and reactionary behaviour!

When society becomes materialistic, it is likely that the desire of having more of everything diminishes the nearness between and children and parents seem to look for parent substitutes in caring for their children. In the place where I live, grandparents become the normal parent substitutes who do not compensate well for the absence of the parents!

I felt disturbed today when I have had to share in the grief of grieving children! I returned home today earlier than usual, because I felt moved by my helplessness!

How can we restore children to the centre of family life!

M.C.Mathew (photo from archives and is not of either of children mentioned here)