In die literatuur word dikwels na kinders as die sogenaamde ‘forgotten grievers’ verwys. Wat pastorale berading betref is daar in die verlede tydens sterfgevalle in ’n gesin soms meer op die volwassenes as op die kinders gefokus. Verliese wat egter nie tydens die kinderjare verwerk word nie, het ’n impak op die res van so ’n persoon se lewe. In hierdie artikel word die belangrikheid van kinders as volle lede van die geloofsgemeenskap (ook wat hulle emosies betref) beklemtoon. Aspekte soos die sinvraag, die beskermende- en helende effek van spiritualiteit en geloof, asook die belangrikheid van ’n Skrifgedeelte soos Lukas 18:15–17 met betrekking tot kleiner kinders kom vervolgens aan die orde. Die belangrikheid van die integrering van spiritualiteit en kreatiewe, ekspressiewe tegnieke en strategieë word ook uitgelig. Voorbeelde van laasgenoemde tegnieke word vervolgens aan die orde gestel terwyl ’n aantal praktiese riglyne ten opsigte van geloofsaspekte ter begeleiding van die kind wat ’n verlies ervaar het, ook daarna aandag geniet.Pastoral care of grieving children. Literature often refers to children as the so called forgotten grievers. In the past, during deaths in a family, pastoral counselling was sometimes more focused on the adults than on children. However, losses that are not processed during childhood will have an impact on the rest of such a person’s life. In this article, the importance of children as full members of the community of faith (also regarding their emotions) is emphasised. Aspects such as the question on meaning, the protective and healing effect of spirituality and faith, and the importance of a passage like Luke 18:15–17 with respect to smaller children are discussed. The importance of the integration of spirituality and creative expressive techniques and strategies are also explored. Examples of the latter techniques are discussed, while a number of practical guidelines on religious issues for the guidance of the child who has experienced a loss also receive attention.
Pastoral Counselling in a Changing Samoa: Development, Christianity and Relationality