Coping With the Death of a Child
Comfort for grieving parents
This year is my son's 6th yahrzeit. I can't believe so many years have gone by. I remember the day he passed; seems like yesterday. It's winter now, and the cemetery grounds are covered under a blanket of pristine, white snow. Winter has a way of muting sharp edges—of trees, of stones, of grief. And... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I find myself speaking to another parent who recently experienced the loss of a child. I lost my child five years ago, but how do I comfort someone whose loss is very fresh? What do I say to another grieving parent? Different Emotional Dynamics of Child Loss First, let's look at the different emotional... Continue Reading →
Child loss is an unimaginable pain. Whether it’s the heart wrenching experience of miscarriage, losing an infant, a small child, an adolescent, or an adult child, these types of losses evoke profound parental grief. However, parents react differently to different types of loss because each grief journey has its unique challenges. Also, society treats these... Continue Reading →
This is the shortest post I've ever written on child loss. Because there are just no words. In memory of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, and their mother Shiri. May their memories be a blessing.
Yahrzeit, a Yiddish term meaning 'year time', is a significant observance in Judaism that commemorates the anniversary of a loved one's passing. This occasion provides an opportunity to reflect and remember the life of those we have lost. Yahrzeit milestones are key anniversaries that mark a special window of time from the first date of... Continue Reading →
When I started participating in a grief support group, several people talked about distraction as a tool for coping with grief. Some travelled on long vacations, others took short trips here and there just to get away. A few immersed themselves in their day to day work. At that time, my son's passing was so... Continue Reading →
A few months after my son passed away, a friend dropped off a gift for me as well as a small card. My friend was no stranger to loss and grief. Two of her brothers died in adulthood from illness. The card she gave me wasn't the standard Hallmark condolence card, but a card that... Continue Reading →
It’s been four years since my adult son Jacob passed away, and my grief is very different from what it was back then. Some things are the same. But I feel the grief of child loss is like a journey. A journey I never wanted to go on, but a journey with turning points and... Continue Reading →
People who have not experienced the loss of a child are uncomfortable talking about loss with those who experienced the ultimate tragedy. This includes friends as well as family members. In the words of one of my grief support group participants ‘They don’t want to hear about it. They just can’t handle it.’ It’s a... Continue Reading →
As I mentioned in the post Therapy for Traumatic Grief, finding the right grief therapist can be challenging. Sometimes it takes working with a few before the right one comes along. After I lost my child, finally found a good therapist who taught me several methods to help cope with loss. In the words of... Continue Reading →
Grief comes in many forms for different people. Those who have lost a sibling, spouse, or parent experience grief differently from those who suffer grief due to child loss. Mental health professionals categorize grief into several types. One of these types is prolonged grief, a grief experienced by most bereaved parents. This article discusses the... Continue Reading →
Intrusive and negative thoughts affect grieving parents a lot. These thoughts come at random times and seem to have a life of their own. Meditation is a very useful activity to deal these thoughts either by eliminating them, or directing them appropriately. I’ve found meditation helps me control painful thoughts and calms me down. What... Continue Reading →
Coping With the Death of a Child 