Explaining Death To A Toddler

Source

[Reviewed and updated December 8, 2024]

Genuine listening [where parents listen respectfully to their children] requires being prepared to make new discoveries and to share sorrow and fear. This is difficult at any time; it is most difficult when the parent is in grief.  ~ David Peretz, MD

A reader writes: Basically, everything I’ve ever read recommends that a toddler not be shielded from the truth, and I believe that. However, there is a set of special circumstances here. My daughter saw her grandmother every day since she was born, as my mother cared for her while I was at work. The care-giving stopped abruptly last year. That has been very hard to deal with, but my older children were victims of a terrible crime by her husband, and for my younger child’s safety, I had to stop my baby from seeing her grandmother because my mother refused to leave this man. We didn’t have any luck explaining that to a toddler.

Caregiving and Hospice, June 21 - June 27, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

5 Great Ways to Spend Time with Parents with Dementia or Alzheimer's, http://j.mp/1BT3ris « The Caregiver Partnership

Death Walking - The Sacred Role of Accompanying the Dying, http://j.mp/1BPx7g8 « Ezine Articles

Living With Cancer: Being Mortal, http://j.mp/1KdjI2B « The New York Times

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 21 - June 27, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

What is Strength in the Face of Grief? http://j.mp/1IiKqXN « Open to Hope

Alan Wolfelt on Love And Grief, http://j.mp/1SQFFHR « Grief Digest Magazine

The First Year of Grief: Help for the Journey, http://ow.ly/NEvBa « Healing eBooks

Using Medication to Manage Grief

Find the latest version of this post here:

Using Antidepressants to Manage Acute, Normal Grief

A reader writes: About four weeks ago, I came off an antidepressant which allowed the unresolved grief issues over my brother’s death to surface. I believe that the antidepressant kept me from fully grieving his loss, which I am in the process of doing now. A colleague, therapist, and good friend who has known me over the years knows exactly where I am and says perhaps just a small dosage of an antidepressant (not the one that I was on) could be beneficial until resolution and integration is accomplished. I see my M.D. next week to explain what has been going on, and to get a med check (I am also on a thyroid medication). I seem to be doing well and don’t really want to take any more meds. I would appreciate any advice in this respect.

Caregiving and Hospice, June 14 - June 20, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

A Google search can make all the difference in the world for patients, http://j.mp/1BCEGqq « Kevin, MD

What's the best care for me: hospice or palliative? http://j.mp/1QGorzb « NowUKnow.com

Death isn't failure: Teaching doctors when to prescribe hospice, http://j.mp/1QFr7x2 « The Advisory Board Company

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 14 - June 20, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Landscape of My Grief, http://j.mp/1H4rgWz « Grief Digest Magazine

Flags of Grief, http://j.mp/1Gbjh4b « GeriPal

Grieving Process: How Long Will Grief Last? http://j.mp/1GWf1t4 « Ezine Articles

Coping with Pet Loss, June 14 - June 20, 2015

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Pet Health: When is it time for hospice care? http://j.mp/1MZIqDp « Colorado State University

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Father's Day: Insights on Coping with Grief

Daddy, circa 1975

[Reviewed and updated June 17, 2022]

Dad: A son's first hero, a daughter's first love. ~ Author unknown

While it may be a special day for many, Father's Day is a holiday that challenges the endurance of fatherless children, as well as fathers and grandfathers whose children or grandchildren have died. My own father died too soon at the age of 69, and I miss him as much today as the day he left us. 

          If you're struggling with grief this Father's Day, know that you're not alone. Below you'll find a number of articles offering insights, comfort and support as well as various ways to cope.

Caregiving and Hospice, June 7 - June 13, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

At the end of life, 'the front line of truth telling is the physician,' http://j.mp/1CRajJX « Barbara Karnes, RN

Men in Grief: Strength Found in Solitude, http://j.mp/1L1suSW « Grief Watch

Words Matter: Cancer and 'Fighting' Language, http://j.mp/1GvT99t « Pallimed

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 7 - June 13, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

New book from National Students of AMF, We Get It: voices of grieving college students, http://j.mp/1G1EkVG « Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Helping Another in Grief, http://ow.ly/NEvAI « Healing eBooks

So touching: I Wish My Father Was Alive, http://j.mp/1QtC2d5 « HuffPost GPS for the Soul

Coping with Pet Loss, June 7 - June 13, 2015

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Beautiful Tribute To A Dog And His Man Will Have You In Tears, http://j.mp/1IxdAR6 « HuffPost

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

On Dating A Widower

Source

[Reviewed and updated March 16, 2022]

Widowers are survivors, and as such, most come through the grief process much stronger, more resilient, and embrace life with more gusto. Those are big changes for any person, but it would appear that for the widower, this growth is marked not by the passage of time but by how he handles the cards that are dealt to him.  ~ Julie Donner Andersen

A reader writes: I’m at the very beginning of a potential relationship with a guy who I’ve reconnected with after many years (we knew each other in high school). His spouse of 27+ years passed away four months ago, after a very long (21 years) battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He still grieves for her at times when he’s reminded of her, but he is moving on with his life. I’m nervous about getting involved with him too soon.

Caregiving and Hospice, May 31 - June 6, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Developing Standards ‘Of, By, And For’ Older Adults: Reflections On Patricia Gabow’s Narrative Matters Essay, http://j.mp/1Jup0Ia « Health Affairs Blog

Word Associations: Breaking the Bond Between Palliative Care and Hospice, http://j.mp/1MdntE2 « ASCO Connection

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in The Caregiver, http://j.mp/1KRdTJG « iSenior Solutions

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 31 - June 6, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Virtually grieving - the changing face of coping with loss, http://j.mp/1MbOYha « eHospice

On explaining death to children: No More Erasers! http://j.mp/1F084BJ « Suzanne J Bayer

6 Practical Steps for Transforming Loss, http://j.mp/1FC6Z3v « Maria Shriver

Coping with Pet Loss, May 31 - June 6, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Pet Loss: Do Pets Go To Heaven? http://j.mp/1FlqZY7 « Grief Healing Blog

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Pet Loss: Do Pets Go To Heaven?

Reviewed and updated December 10, 2024]

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.  ~ Will Rogers

A reader writes:  I have been grieving the loss of my cat for some time now, and the pain does not go away. I am still very sad and wondering what kind of help you can give me.  I keep thinking—did my Mittens go to heaven or not?  I had a very tight bond with this cat.  I miss her companionship every day and I miss her so much.