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