Join us as we
“Flip the Script” is a concept often used to challenge and change common narratives or behaviors that are unhelpful or harmful. In the context of children’s grief, the “Flip the Script” campaign aims to spotlight and challenge things people often say to young people who are grieving that aren’t helpful. By “flipping the script,” the campaign seeks to replace these unhelpful words with more supportive, empathetic alternatives, encouraging better understanding and communication about grief.
As a group, we invited young people who are grieving to share the hurtful or unhelpful comments they have heard and asked them to suggest what would have been more helpful for them to hear. Their feedback pointed to a clear need for us to do better when we offer support. Join us in sharing with communities across the country how we show up with the support that young people who are grieving deserve.
For the second year, this campaign was developed collaboratively with Dougy Center, Eluna, Experience Camps, Judi’s House, and the NACG. Together with everyone who participates in the campaign, we identify as the National Movement for Children’s Grief Awareness, and we hope you will join us.
How to Flip the Script this November
#FliptheScript by Taking Action
Hover over the boxes below to learn more about how to flip the script based on the action listed in the box.
Be present.
Emphasize the importance of being physically present for young people who are grieving rather than trying to find the “perfect” words. Showcase actions that demonstrate care and attention, such as simply sitting with the child or engaging in a shared activity without the pressure of conversation.
Listen actively.
Promote the value of listening to what young people who are grieving feel and want to express without interruption or immediate responses. Highlight the impact of being a comforting presence that prioritizes understanding over-responding.
Actions speak louder than words.
Focus on the importance of follow-through. When adults promise support or specific actions, it is crucial to ensure these promises are kept. This reinforces trust and provides tangible support that young people who are grieving can rely on.
Press pause on advice.
Discourage the use of clichés and prescriptive statements about how to grieve, how long to grieve, or what to feel. Encourage open-ended questions and responses that allow the young people to lead the conversation according to their needs.
Get moving: Grief is physical, not just emotional.
Address the physical manifestations of grief, not just the emotional. Encourage physical activities that might help young people express and cope with their grief, like walking, playing, or other gentle physical engagement.
Cultivate a supportive environment for sharing.
Stress the importance of creating a non-judgmental space for young people to express their grief. This involves not only verbal communication but also non-verbal cues that show understanding and compassion.
Recognize the uniqueness of each person’s grief.
Acknowledge that every young person is unique, as is their grief experience and their relationship to the person who died. Tailor interactions to their context, relationship, and personality. Avoid one-size-fits-all approaches and instead offer personalized support based on the child’s cues.
Empower young people's voices.
Allow them to share their own stories and feelings.
Become a Partner in Flip the Script
Become a part of the campaign by sharing resources like graphics, social posts, and ways to flip the script.
What does it mean to participate? Participating individuals or organizations will:
- On the dates listed on the scripts, post the flip for that day on your social media. All scripts are shared in the partner toolkit You can create your own graphics or use graphics shared on this page.
- Use the hashtags #flipthescript and #childhoodgrief in your posts
- Tag NACG in your posts (@NACGnews, @childrengrieve on Instagram)
To access the form to join the National Movement for Children’s Grief Awareness and commit to these three actions, click on the “Become a Partner” button below. All partners will be listed at the bottom of this webpage. Templates, texts, and scripts are being provided in advance so you can prepare, but remember, we don’t share graphics until November 1! We want to get the maximum impact in launching the campaign together.
Steering Committee:
Dougy Center
- Library of Support Resources
- Featured resource:
What to Say Instead
Experience Camps
- Grief Resources Library
- Featured Resource:
grief SUCKS
Judi’s House
- Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM)
- Featured Resource: CBEM Data Tables
NACG
- NACG Resource Library
- Featured Resource: Guide to Listening on Repeat
Partners:
Adam’s House
Agrace Grief Support Center
Alison Vergez
Alive Grief Center
Avow Kids
Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services
Bo’s Place
Braintree Public Schools
Bridgepoint Psychology Center
Bridges Center for Grieving Children
Brighter Days Family Grief Center MN
Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People
Buddy’s Place
C. Elizabeth Dougherty Consulting
Camp Comfort
CaringMatters
Center for Good Mourning–Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Center for Grieving Children/BGCFV
Centrica Journeys Childrens Grief Support Group
Chas. Peter Nagel Funeral Directors
Children’s Bereavement Center | Debra Albo-Steiger, CEO
Children’s Grief Center of El Paso
Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region
Christi Center
Circle of Care
Common Ground Grief Center
Companions on a Journey Grief Support
Courageous Kids
Debbie Frederick, SLP
Dianne Fochtman
Drew Michael Taylor Foundation
Dr. Katherine Grill
Edmarc
Ele’s Place
Elijah’s Place
Embrace Counseling-A Program of JFS
Emma’s Place – Staten Island Grief and Loss Center for Children and Families
Erin Hollister
Erin’s House for Grieving Children
First Hour Grief Response, Inc.
Footprints on the Heart, Inc
Fox Valley Hands of Hope
FRIENDS WAY
Gabby’s Grief Center
GALE Grief And Loss Education
Geramee Hensley, Tu Nidito
Golden Hope Ministries
Good Grief
Good Grief of Northwest Ohio
Good Grief Parenting
Grief Cards
Grief Connection Space, LLC.
GRIT Adventures
Guardian Angel Hospice Foundation
Hamilton’s Academy of Grief & Loss
Hands Holding Hearts
Healing House: Hope for Grieving Children
Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program
HEARTplay Program at Good Shepherd Community Care
Heather Gianatassio, MS, CCLS, GCCA-C
Hennepin Healthcare
Henry Ford SandCastles Grief Support Program
Hetrick-Martin Institute
Home Start, Inc.
Hope Through Birth
Hopeful Hearts of Indiana PA
Hospice of Washington County
IL Family Resource Center
In the Spirit of Healing
Inova Children’s Hospital
Jackson 3 Foundation
Jeff’s Place Children’s Bereavement Center, Inc.
Jennifer, daughter of Elaine
Joel’s Place for Children
Jose
Julia’s Kids
Julie Hull, MA
Kara
Karen Gifford
Karen Grisham
Kelly Sweat, MEd, IncludedInGrief
Kelly’s Angels Foundation
Kids Grief Support
Kids’ Haven: A Center for Grieving Children
KinderMourn
Lemons to Lemonade Foundation, Inc.
Lindsey Sheets, Director of Bereavement Services – Residential Hospice
Lion’s Heart Grief Center
Lost & Found Grief Center
Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association
McClean Fletcher Center
Michael’s Place
Michelle Halm, FT
Modern Widows Club Parenting Support
Montlawn Memorial Park
Mourning Hope Grief Center
Myra’s Kids Foundation
Nariah’s Way Foundation
Nathalie and Christine Lascase
NATHAN’S BUTTERFLIES
New Hope for Kids
New York State Tribute Foundation
Nonie’s Place
Oak Tree Corner
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center
Park Nicollet Growing Through Grief
Pathways Center for Grief & Loss
Rays of Hope Children’s Grief Centre
Rebecca Brown Schroeder
Reimagine Grief
Resilient Minds Counseling
Rick’s Place
Roni Vallejos, CCLS
Rooster & Hen Resources
Roula’s Kids: A Space for Grieving Families, Inc.
Safe Crossings Foundation
Sharing Kindness
STAR Children’s Bereavement Services
Suncoast Kids Place
Supporting Kidds
Tamarack Grief Resource Center
The 4:04 Foundation
The Center for Grieving Children
The Center for Loss and Bereavement
The Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region
The Children’s Room
The Collective for Hope
The Cove Center for Grieving Children
The Grief Center of New Mexico
The Healing Center
The HeartLight Center
The Hope and Healing Place
The Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families
The Stephan Center
The Still Place
The Young Widowhood Project
This Is Why
Tu Nidito Children and Family Services
Uplift Center for Grieving Children
Valencia Dickerson, LPCC-S
Valerie’s House
Valerie’s House Pensacola
Wayfinder Family Co.
Widowed Parent Institute
Widowed Parent Project
Wildflower
William’s Be Yourself Challenge
Willow Center, Inc
WPSU | Speaking Grief & Learning Grief Initiatives