Grief's Final Lesson

"Wouldn't it be great if there was something like this for grieving parents who feel like they're drowning? Well, there is, and it starts with you. Once you've been through what you've been through, you're as much of an "expert" on how to cope with your grief as I am. You've learned so much and now it's time for the final lesson: paying it forward and helping other bereaved parents navigate the long road ahead of them. Who knows this rocky terrain better than you?"

"You're not providing therapy, and it's nothing like being in a grief group. You're just a shoulder to lean on, a friend who will listen, understand, and, when appropriate, share some hard-earned wisdom. You're reassuring others that whatever they're feeling is "normal" and that they're not alone. You become a guide-a grief buddy-telling them what they can expect when they expect to cry forever."

Bereaved parents can become grief buddies to support others who feel like they are drowning, offering listening, understanding, and reassurance that their feelings are normal. Personal experience with loss equips parents with practical coping knowledge and the ability to guide others through long, rocky grief journeys. Peer support differs from therapy or formal grief groups and focuses on companionship, validation, and sharing hard-earned wisdom. Such peer connections spread through personal networks, creating a widening circle of support. Close family may be helpful initially but often cannot fully understand the bereaved parent's experience.

Read at Psychology Today