Children

Although children whose ages fall below the bar/bat mitzvah age are not bound by traditional mourning laws, spiritual communities and religious groups often disagree about the type of interactions and involvement children should have during a grieving period. The Jewish canon does not explicitly prohibit or condone the presence of children during shiva; as a result, the decision of whether to include children in the shiva period falls on the mourning family. While contemplating this decision, the family should consider several factors including the relationship of the child to the deceased, the age and maturity of the child in question, and the child's ability to behave properly and respectfully in the grieving environment. Parents who decide to include a young child or children in the traditions of mourning should first explain to the child(ren) in simple and understandable terms what to expect and how to behave properly.

Suggested Books:
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life For All Ages by Leo Buscaglia 
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Bianco 
Barclay and Eve: Sitting Shiva by Karen Carney 
Water Bugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney 
The Saddest Time by Norman Simon
Sad Isn't Bad by Michaelene Mundy