5 Gentle Ways to Comfort a Child Who’s Missing Someone
It’s natural for children to miss someone important to them — whether it’s a grandparent who lives far away, a parent working overseas, a friend who has moved, or even someone who has passed away.
For young children, absence can be confusing and unsettling. They may not fully understand why someone isn’t there, and they can struggle to express their feelings. As parents and caregivers, we want to offer comfort while helping them build emotional resilience.
Here are five gentle, practical ways to support a child who is missing someone — including how bedtime stories can play a special role.
- Create a Connection Ritual
Small, meaningful rituals can help children feel close to the person they miss. This could be:
Waving at the moon each night
Lighting a special candle
Drawing a picture for the absent loved one
Rituals give children a sense of control and a way to actively show their love, even when they can’t be with that person in person.
- Talk About Feelings Openly
It’s important to encourage children to name and share their feelings without fear of judgment. Let them know it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused.
You might say, “I can see you’re feeling sad because you miss Grandma. That’s completely okay. I feel that way too sometimes.”
Open conversations like this validate their emotions and help them learn how to manage them in healthy ways.
- Use Comforting Bedtime Stories
Stories have a way of speaking to the heart. They allow children to explore feelings in a safe, gentle way — especially at bedtime when they’re winding down.
Such as Whenever You Miss Me, Look for the Moon, a children’s picture book I wrote to reassure little ones that love can be felt across any distance. In the story, the moon becomes a comforting symbol, reminding the child that they are always connected to the person they love, no matter where they are.
Bedtime stories like this create space for connection, conversation, and reassurance — making them a powerful comfort tool.
- Encourage Creative Expression
Art, music, and craft activities can help children process big emotions. They might draw a picture of the person they miss, make a memory box, or even create a little “moon collage” as a reminder of their bond.
This turns their feelings into something tangible and positive, giving them a healthy outlet for their emotions.
- Keep Loved Ones Present in Conversation
Talk about the absent person often in everyday conversation. Share happy memories, look at photos together, or tell funny stories about them.
This helps children feel that their loved one is still a part of their life, and it keeps the bond alive in a comforting way.
A Final Word of Encouragement
If you’re supporting a child who is missing someone, you’re already doing something wonderful by looking for ways to help.
If you’d like a gentle, comforting bedtime story to add to your toolkit, Whenever You Miss Me, Look for the Moon is available now from Amazon, Waterstones, and other retailers. It’s a story that children can return to again and again whenever they need a reminder that love is always there — just like the moon.
https://a.co/d/7uXvwMv