The Parenting After Loss group is a new Empty Arms group intended for those who are parenting the older sibling(s) of a baby who has died, or who are parenting a subsequent child who has joined the family (through birth, foster care/adoption, or surrogacy) after a loss. Our first meeting will be on May 18, 2011.
We know that parenting living children while grieving our babies is both a blessing and a challenge. We believe that parents have space in their hearts and homes for both their living children and for the baby or babies who have died. Parenting after loss includes challenges such as addressing the grief and other emotions felt by siblings of a lost baby, and balancing the daily care of living children with needed time to grieve. We recognize that there is no one right way to address these challenges, and that each family has the right to grieve and remember their lost baby or babies in ways that feel most comfortable to them. This meeting is a place where parents can support one another in both the joys and difficulties of this experience.
The Parenting After Loss group meets in members' homes, usually on a weekend. The date and time varies slightly depending on the needs of the group. If you are interested in attending, please contact the group facilitator, Erika Parker, at ehenyey@gmail.com or 413-628-0082. Erika would also be happy to answer any questions you have about the meeting.
