Parent's Grief Support. Bountiful, Utah

The loss of a child is difficult. Parents are simply not supposed to outlive their children and no parent is prepared for a child's death.

It is important to remember that how long your child lived does not determine the size of your loss. Parents are intimately involved in the daily lives of young children, and death changes every aspect of family life, often leaving an enormous emptiness. The death of an older child or adolescent is difficult because children at this age are beginning to reach their potential and become independent individuals. When an adult child dies, you not only lose a child, but often a close friend, a link to grandchildren, and an irreplaceable source of emotional and practical support. If you lost your only child, you may also feel that you have lost your identity as a parent, and perhaps the possibility of grandchildren.

In addition to grieving the loss of your child, you may find that you grieve the loss of the hopes and dreams you had for your child, as well as the potential that will never be realized and the experiences you will never share. The pain of these losses will always be a part of you. Yet with time, most parents find a way forward and begin to experience happiness and meaning in life once again.  (cancer.net)

Connecting with others who are experiencing this loss can help in this process:

Mom’s Group for women who have had a child die.  Mondays, 11:00 - 12:15

Ongoing group meets every other week.  Contact Becky Andrews LCMHC, 801.259.3883 for the schedule.  ($20/group)

Dad’s Group for men who have had a child die. 5:30 – 6:45, Thursdays.  Next 4-week group to begin Thursday, September 26. ($75/4-weeks).  Contact Michael Van Dam, LCSW, 801.815.6152 to join. 

We hope you will join us.  You will find an incredible group of parents who will be a support.  

Resilient Solutions, Inc.

1355  N. Main, Ste. 1

Bountiful, Utah