LibraryScenariosWhen your child expresses survivor guilt
Scenario

When your child expresses survivor guilt

My nine-year-old said he wishes he had died instead of his twin and I felt relief that someone finally said what I've been thinking.

Mira
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

A child's devastating honesty about wishing for death mirrors a parent's own forbidden thoughts, creating shared shame around impossible grief.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Children and grief — supporting young people?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.