Helping Muggle children handle end of book 6

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Mhochberg at a... wrote:
> As more and more young (under age 10) children are finishing book 6, 
> I am having to explain, help understand, soothe, and otherwise deal 
> with some very upset children. 
>  
> Does anyone have suggestions on how to handle this? My son, who is 14,
> says he can't talk about it because he is too upset. A ten year old 
> girl just looks at me and cries. A 9 year old boy is angry and yelling
> at everyone about it. 
>  
> ---Mary

bboyminn:

First and foremost, I think it's important to tell kids that it's OK
to feel the way they feel; it's OK to grieve. What I do not recommend
is that you say things like "it's just a book". That, in essense, says
that it's NOT OK to feel what they feel. The worst thing you can do is
invalidate their feelings.

Then I think it is important to remind them that Dumbledore didn't
fear death. He understood that death was a part of life; you can't
have one without the other, and to remind them of Dumbledore's and
Harry's words in the book. Dumbledore said, 'death is but the next
great adventure', but also that 'those we love never truly leave us,
we carry them in our hearts' (paraphrased), 'I will never be gone from
Hogwarts as long as there remain those who are loyal to me', and a few
more things that escape me at the moment.

I think it is OK to remind them that Dumbledore lived nearly twice as
long as a normal human, and remind them of the rich full life he lead,
and of the contributions he made to the world. I think it is also OK
to remid them that it is Voldemort who fears death, and that is a
truly limiting thing. Then, I think it is important to remind them of
Harry, who despite all the resistance he faces in life, he still
chooses to live; he still chooses to move forward determine to life
and love to the fullest that life will allow.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn