In Grief: Coping with Childlessness

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Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left.  ~ Hubert Humphrey

A reader writes: I just wanted to say Thank You for your site -- it's been a real help to me today, as I try and start to get my head around our childlessness. It's a strange grief as it's a loss that only I see -- to the rest of the world it's life as usual! I found your pieces on the process of grief really useful -- and the quotes and pieces of inspiration. I really needed some practical tips on coping with the mood swings - I found all the information on the grief work really helpful, and I realize that I need to leave more time and be kinder on myself. Over the past few weeks I've suddenly had a real desire to get a dog -- a pet I've never had before. Your pieces on companion animals have made me realize that this might not be such a daft idea after all.

Caregiving and Hospice, March 19 - March 25, 2017

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

How hospice helped my mother find peace, http://bit.ly/2nJQKnL « Kevin MD

Lawyers have no business in the field of advance care planning, http://bit.ly/2mwaP0J « Kevin MD

Palliative Care: Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Pro-Dignity, and Pro-Family, http://huff.to/2mX5rDv « The Huffington Post

Understanding and Managing Grief, March 19 - March 25, 2017

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

What Losing Your Mother Feels Like, http://j.mp/1xOAP1Q « The Huffington Post

Stress in Grief, http://bit.ly/2mZwD0V « What's Your Grief?

Dating After Loss of a Spouse, http://bit.ly/2mSLny9 « Grief in Common

Coping with Pet Loss, March 19 - March 25, 2017

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

Things I Wish I Had Known When My Dog Died, http://nyti.ms/2nnlc5T « The New York Times

It can be harder to lose a dog than a relative or friend -- here's why, http://read.bi/2o01MTc « Business Insider

Respond to Friends' Pet Loss with Sympathetic Calls, Letters, http://bit.ly/2mZF1Nm « A Good Goodbye

Explaining Suicide to A Child

Find an updated version of this post here:

Explaining Dad's Suicide to A Child

A reader writes: My husband committed suicide six weeks ago. He left behind our nine-year-old son and myself. I know exactly why he killed himself. He had suffered years of physical pain, had emotiona If l problems, depression, manic depression and other problems, some of which were attributed to the fact he had no male role model in his youth. His biological father left when he was five. His stepfather showed him no love or support whatsoever and his mother suffered from depression. He had not worked in many years and felt useless. He felt that his manhood was gone and thought the only way out was to overdose. He said in his suicide note that his race was done. He had become very difficult to live with.

Caregiving and Hospice, March 12 - March 18, 2017

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

Seven facts you might not know about hospice, http://bit.ly/2n0eiU9 « Kitsap Sun

Have Your Wishes For Care Known Before A Health Crisis Strikes, http://n.pr/2mqI4yB « NPR

Palliative Care: Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Pro-Dignity, and Pro-Family,  http://huff.to/2mX5rDv « The Huffington Post

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.

Understanding and Managing Grief, March 12 - March 18, 2017

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

Why You Want A Physicist to Speak at Your Funeral, http://bit.ly/2nOGQ0x « A Good Goodbye

Stay in...and Cry, http://bit.ly/2njn5Bn « Christina Rasmussen

Grief In The Second Year: Finding Your Way, http://buff.ly/2n6Bm3O « Grief Healing

Coping with Pet Loss, March 12 - March 18, 2017

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

Caring for an Aging or Dying Pet – What You Need to Know (and Some Help with Your Grief), http://bit.ly/2na6WhD « Wake Up World

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.

Grief Healing: On Becoming A Grief Counselor

[Reviewed and updated November 21, 2024]

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.  ~ Author Unknown

A reader writes: I came across your website, but I believe I have heard your name before. I'm writing for two reasons; first, out of admiration for your work in pet loss and grief, and secondly, to see if you could possibly help me. Historically, I've had an interest in depression and anxiety, but my recent experiences with the elderly have guided me towards grief and loss. Pet grief and loss has always been important to me. As I approach graduate school and the chance to do a thesis and numerous other projects/papers, this topic seems to be dominating my preferences. With all of this in mind, I was wondering if you have any advice for this stage of my career--both academically and professionally.

Caregiving and Hospice, March 5 - March 11, 2017

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

PBS Documentary Brings Chronic Pain Out of Shadows, http://bit.ly/2nnvujU « Pain News Network

When a Patient Asks You to Pray…5 Things to Consider, http://bit.ly/2nmPhzS « Hospice Times

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.

Understanding and Managing Grief, March 5 - March 11, 2017

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

Patton Oswalt Explains How Pop Culture Gets Grieving All Wrong, http://n.pr/2mvAXpx « NPR

Grieving college students: Find an AMF chapter on your college campus, http://bit.ly/2mKut8n « Actively Moving Forward

10 Things Only A Griever Understands, http://bit.ly/2n83i8u « The Grief Toolbox

Using Music To Help With Grief

Find the latest version of this post here:

Using Music to Move Through Grief

People have known for centuries that music touches the human soul. We know intuitively that music affects us in profound and healing ways, both emotionally and physically, and present-day research demonstrates this to be true. In health care settings such as hospitals, clinics and hospices, music therapy is found to be remarkably effective in helping to calm patients, reduce stress, ease muscle tension, promote movement and manage pain.

Caregiving and Hospice, February 26 - March 4, 2017

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

How Can Palliative Care Be Implemented in the ICU? http://bit.ly/2lqbFMd « Seven Ponds Blog

The Alzheimer's Action Plan, http://bit.ly/2mQFvGM « Alzheimer's Reading Room

Dementia and Grief, http://bit.ly/2miVHCU « eHospice

Understanding and Managing Grief, February 26 - March 4, 2017

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

I'm Not Okay, http://bit.ly/2lql0n9 « Soaring Spirits International

Dementia and Grief, http://bit.ly/2miVHCU « eHospice

In Grief: Carrying The Load, http://bit.ly/2lHomON « Christina Rasmussen

Coping with Pet Loss, February 26 - March 4, 2017

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

Grief is the Price We Pay For Love: Helping Heal the Grief of Pet Loss, http://bit.ly/2lKryZM « Liv On

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.