Lessons from Grief Counselors

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By Andrea Delbanco

Editor in Chief, TIME for Kids

This week, TIME published a piece adapted from Anya Kamenetz’s book The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now. The article starts with a harsh statement of reality: “COVID-19 will impress a signature of grief into the next generation.” But Kamenetz goes on to deliver more-hopeful news: “I was not expecting to find a deep well of optimism when talking to people who deal with death every day. But that’s exactly what happened.”

If only there were simple instructions to address the premise at the heart of the article: “What Grieving Children Need from the Grown-Ups in Their Lives.” But Kamenetz’s piece shares a lot of wisdom, and made me want to read the book. I hope this statement proves true: “[Bereavement counselors] see the potential for the post-COVID world to soften into a more tender place.”

As always, you can reach me at andrea@time.com. I hope your week is going well.

Best,
Andrea

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