The Family (including siblings) in Bereavement
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“There are six of us, not five.”
“Because Joey lived for two weeks, we spend those two weeks (with his little brother) celebrating his life.”
Educating others to talk openly and honestly about illness and death: When you share the unbearable, it becomes bearable.
Illness and Loss: What is mentionable is manageable.
Emotion in front of the children: The rule of thumb is you stay several steps LESS upset than they are.
Siblings: Art therapy provides a way for grieving children to name things and express feelings.
As parents, we can dose ourselves with the pain, and then regroup for our children.
Helping the bereaved siblings answer the question, “How many siblings do you have?”
A psychiatrist recommends against leaving the bedroom of the child who died exactly as it was when they were living.
Grief in Children: A psychiatrist on signs in your child that you may need to get them professional help.
What does a good day look like?
Shifting expectations: A couple talks about what has helped each of them in early grief.
A social worker on how parents grieve - Every person grieves their own way. They need to feel heard.
Anniversary/Special Days - “Sometimes I want her acknowledged, to share, sometimes I don’t.”
Bereavement: how is the rest of the family doing – son, husband? Talking about it!
Hayden and Cameron are just part of their surviving siblings’ lives.
Bereavement: Dr. Breyer on supporting the siblings
A bereaved sister keeps her brother’s legacy: learning gratitude, telling his story, helping other kids
Grandmother: I'm inspired by them, very proud.
She’s very closed off about it.