Anticipatory Grief

🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟

Congratulations to all of the families with graduates! Each stage feels big-- elementary promotion and middle school promotion are exciting!  And high school graduation—wow—what an accomplishment, especially in today’s college admissions landscape. Enjoy all of the festivities.

Why is today’s Lighter Touch with Leah about grief when it’s celebration time??
 
For parents, this can be a bittersweet time…as children grow up, finish another school year, and eventually launch from the nest—there can be much emotion and sadness for parents. These milestones are markers of the passage of time. There can be a big emotional build-up to these milestones—anticipatory grieving before the big launch is even upon you. Sending love if this is you ❤️.

Ask Yourself:

Do I feel emotional at the end of the school year for my children?
How am I coping with promotions and graduations? Am I grieving?
If I don’t feel sad, why not?
Have I enjoyed my children’s childhoods?
Do I have regrets? Is there time to repair (the answer is yes!)
How can I enjoy this moment in time?

Bravo parents!  Enjoy the start to summer ☀️.