How to Help a Grieving Child Who Feels Isolated 

Parenting Perspective 

Validate His Feelings 

Losing a loved one at a young age can make a child feel set apart from their peers, especially when friends may not understand what grief feels like. When your child says he feels ‘different,’ he is expressing both his sadness and his sense of disconnection. The first step is to validate his feelings, letting him know that it is true that not everyone has the same experiences, and that it is natural to feel out of place when going through something as big as a loss. 

‘Different’ Does Not Mean ‘Alone’ 

You can then reassure him that ‘different’ does not mean ‘alone.’ Sharing stories of how other families experience loss can help him realise that grief is part of life’s journey for everyone, though at different times. Encouraging him to talk openly about his grandfather, perhaps recalling memories together or keeping something that belonged to his grandfather, can help him feel connected rather than set apart. 

Give Him a Language to Use With Peers 

Another way to ease his isolation is to give him a language he can use with his peers. Many children are unsure how to respond to grief, so your child may need simple phrases like, ‘I miss my grandfather a lot, but I am glad to remember him.’ Equipping him with words helps him face social situations with more confidence. 

Balance Grief With Normal Routines 

Finally, keep an eye on balancing his grief with normal routines. Encourage him to continue enjoying school, hobbies, and friendships, while reminding him that it is also okay to have sad moments. By showing him that both can exist side by side, you teach him resilience and help reduce the feeling of being ‘different.’ 

Spiritual Insight 

Indeed We Belong to Allah 

Grief is a tender time to remind a child that his experiences, even when painful, connect him deeply with the realities of life and faith.  

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 156: 

‘Those are the people when they come across any tribulation; they say “Indeed, we (came) from Allah (Almighty) and indeed, we will return to Him”.’  

This Verse reminds us that returning to Allah is a shared truth for every person. Helping your child recite this phrase when he misses his grandfather can be a way of connecting him to a community of believers who all face loss. It teaches him that he is not alone, but part of a wider circle of humanity and faith. 

A House in Paradise 

It is recorded in Riyad as-Salihin, Book 6, Hadith 29, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Allah does not take away a beloved servant of His from the people of the world, and they say ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,’ except that Allah builds for them a house in Paradise and names it Bayt al-Hamd (the House of Praise).’  

This hadith gives hope that the loss is not meaningless but honoured by Allah with reward. 

By validating your child’s feelings, giving him tools to navigate friendships, and grounding him in the assurance of Allah’s mercy, you can help him feel less isolated and more supported in both his grief and his faith.