Dealing with any kind of loss with a child or children is a task that most adults dread. Best friends can move away, a car can kill a favorite pet, a schoolmate can be killed in an auto accident, and Grandma may die suddenly are all situations that parents can face. In any case, a parent should handle the loss with dignity and quality so the child learns how to deal by comparison.

These are especially difficult times for a parent if they were close to the deceased individual too. Handling their own grief and explaining the process to a child can be a catharsis which enables the parent to stay grounded in their own pain. Often, teaching and sharing at a hard time helps improve understanding and communication between parent and child, a time of bonding that can be very rewarding.

It always helps if the parent or parents are firm in their own belief system and have formed a personal life philosophy from which they can extract explanations that will be easily understood by the child. A philosophy of life consists of knowing: you can excel, that there will be up times and down, that it takes strength of character and courage to follow lifes path. Well-grounded parents will also understand that expressing their own emotions in a healthy manner helps the child to do so too.

The questions that a young mind may ask will challenge the strength and resolve of your own philosophy about our life here on earth and in the hereafter. It helps to think about the questions they might ask in advance so you are prepared to answer them. You are the childs only source of knowledge in this arena, so take time to do this job well.

Many young children have seen a new baby enter the home, or maybe a classmate moved to another city, so they already have ideas about the processes of life. Death and loss are not to be feared, but to be understood as just part of life.

It helps if you have a philosophy, religion or church that can provide a basis for your belief system. But, no matter what your beliefs consist of, you want to build confidence in your childs mind that life is a good thing, filled with wonderful experiences, people and places, and even though all things must come to an end, your faith in yourself, your religion and God will carry you through.

Parents, grandparents, or guardians will want to think these concepts through in advance if at all possible, so they are ready to give the best available guidance to the children in their lives. Purchase books on the subject for you and your child, and discuss them before a death occurs. Knowledge is power when confronting life; give that gift to your child and yourself.

Keith Renninson

Keith E. Renninson is a native of Colorado. After a tour of duty in Viet Nam, he returned home and spent 30 years as a financial planner and insurance agent. He was a two-term President of the Mile-Hi Association of Life Underwriters and four-term President of the Kipling Sun Homeowners Association. He is the Chairman of the 2006 Tour de Cure bicycle ride for the American Diabetes Association in Colorado. Keith is also the current Vice-President of COBRAS (Colorado Organization of Bicycle Racing Seniors).

In 1995, he self-published his first book, ?The Pain & Joy of Love: A Collection of Poetry, Black and White Photography and Short Stories.? In 2003, Keith was the Editor of the Arapahoe Community College Art and Literary Magazine ?The Progenitor,? and in 2004-2005 the Editor of the Arapahoe Observer newspaper.

During eight years of the 1990's, Keith wrote his column, "Philosophically Speaking" for the Downtown Denver News.

In August 2004, Keith's essay "Compassion at Death's Door" was published by The American Legion Magazine and received worldwide acclaim.

When neighbor Michael Conrad Kelley offered they work together on his manuscript ?Zooch the Pooch,? Keith was excited and honored to be involved in such a worthy project. An illustrated children's book and parenting tool, Zooch was published in November of 2005 and is available on their website or at Amazon.com.

Mike and Keith are also professional speakers presenting their inspirational talk & seminar "Seven Simple Steps to a More Fulfilling Life." They can be contacted directly for radio, TV and print interviews.

In December 2006, one of Keith's latest essays, "To Achieve Clarity in Life Make Meditation Part of Your Day" will appear in a new book "101 Ways to Improve Your Life" alongside notable authors such as Mark Victor Hansen of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" fame.

Keith formed Golden Years Videos, LLC with business partner Jeff Forman which produces exercise videos for senior citizens, and those unable to perform standing exercises. Always the exercise enthusiast Keith, wanted to provide a series of videos which would assist those in need of conditioning. You can see more about this at the Golden Years Videos website listed above.

In his leisure time, Keith studies philosophy, competes in American Cycling Association bicycle races around Colorado, loves to downhill ski, practices yoga, writes and climbs the Fourteener?s of Colorado?s Rockies.