A Robin’s Tale
A Robin’s Tale
Finding the words to talk about the passing of a loved one
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The well-known phrase, ‘When robins appear, loved ones are near’, alludes to the belief that the robin is a messenger. When robins are seen, some people take comfort that loved ones are at peace, and many believe that their lost loved ones are visiting them.
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A Robin’s Tale
After her beloved dad passed away suddenly five years ago, chartered psychologist and mum-of-two Noelle Rock realised she needed to find a way to support her children around the death.
Published by Currach Books, A Robin’s Tale explores the grief and eventual recovery of a family from the passing of the father. It is recounted from the perspective of the father who has transformed into a robin and visits them to check on their health and happiness. The robin watches his family grow and flourish, joining them in their joy and sorrow.
Noelle says A Robin’s Tale is a tool to help parents discuss the sombre topic of death with young children. “Children have feelings but at a young age they don’t have the cognitive capacity to articulate their emotions. A Robin’s Tale is a metaphor. Pain is acknowledged and it gives the rhetoric of feelings and an opportunity to children to explore what they’re feeling.”
- Children grieve in different ways depending on their personality, age and their understanding of death.
- They need information and explanations in order to make some sense of what has happened.
- Be honest and talk in language that children understand.
- Information and reassurance help a child make sense of a loss.
- Visit www.childhoodbereavement.ie
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