Postpartum and grief are likely two words you never expected to see together. It's possible that some of you might find it surprising to see Postpartum Grief as a title for an article. After all, the birth of a child is expected to be a wonderful event that brings joy and excitement to a family.
As grief professionals, our goal is to help everyone dealing with that confusing emotion called grief. This is particularly challenging when it comes to children. Here are 3 important things to know concerning children and grief. Keeping these points in mind can be very helpful when you are trying to assist parents who are helping their children.
The loss of a pet is very much a grieving experience. The emotional bonds formed with a pet often exceed the bonds formed with other people in a person's life. Many people never think of them as pets, but rather very special companions, best friends or a family member. A pet is the confidant with whom you can share everything without fear that they will repeat it to others.
As parents, we want to do everything possible to teach our children the tools they will need to have a happy and successful life. We make sure that they understand to look both directions when crossing a street. We tell them not to touch the stove when it is hot. We warn them about “stranger danger.” In most situations, we usually put their needs before our own.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a relatively new term. It was first introduced in the 1980 American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). It has since been further modified in its definition in the DSM-IV and DSM-5. What it describes, however, is hardly new.
Most people have no concept of the overpowering nature of grief until they face it on a personal level. They most likely encountered family or friends who were grieving and wondered why they were so upset, because they had no concept of the emotional pain these people were experiencing.
Several years ago, my cousin’s husband died after a short illness. They had taken early retirement and moved to Florida to enjoy “the good life” together, but suddenly she was alone. She, like many grievers, was at a total loss in how to deal with the emotional pain she was experiencing.
Few subjects are more terrifying to adults than explaining death to a child. This may be because very few adults have any formal training in understanding how to effectively deal with grief themselves. What little training we have had usually revolves around things that we have heard others say at a time of loss.