Family dynamics

None of us can imagine the pain of losing a child until we’ve lived it. But even though this nightmare is a reality for thousands of parents, there is very little research on the grief experience of fathers. We still fall back on old stereotypes as mothers being more bonded to their children and fathers…

“I didn’t talk to my daughter for more than five years. I didn’t know what hit me. I kept thinking about her and wondering where she was. My granddaughter was born, and I never knew. We are trying to ‘fix’ things now, but it’s different than before. I still miss what we used to have.”…

When something painful happens that is outside our control, like the death of a loved one, a terrible accident, or a global pandemic, we often start to rethink our understanding of the world and how we function in it. If we live in such an unpredictable and often unfair place, how can we control what…

Holidays and special celebrations—whether the kind that leave stores decorated for months, the ones that your family finds special significance in, or personal celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries—can be one of the most unpredictable and difficult times of the year for grievers. Here are some tips for coping with holiday grief, including Kenneth Doka’s “3…

When thirteen-year-old Santiago Abut unexpectedly passed away, his heartbroken family found themselves navigating the different ways they each coped. His sister, Caroline, was only five when Santi died. She had dozens of questions and needed information. Santi’s father channeled his emotions into finding grief support resources for his daughters.  Every family who loses someone they…