The Loss of a Parent

The loss of a parent is hard enough to handle as an adult.  When you’re a teen, your pain is multiplied by having to deal with this tragedy on top of all the issues you already struggle with every day: dealing with friends and peers, going through changes in your moods and emotions, trying to find your place in the world, managing school and all of the pressures you face during a typical school day.  Many teens are trying to cope with all of this change without the benefit of basic life skills they weren’t expecting to need for several more years.

In many cases, losing one or both parents as a minor means having to deal with your loss while never being allowed to be a part of the process.  Decisions are made for you, around you, and without you.  This adds confusion, fear and a sense of helplessness to an already devastating series of events.  And while those making the decisions almost certainly have you’re best interests at heart, it doesn’t change the fact that suddenly a bunch of strangers are in control of your life…a terrifying reality!  As a result, life can feel like it’s spinning out of control, and it’s easy to feel that you’re all alone and no one understands what you’re going through.  Trying to cope becomes a nightmare and everyone just seems to want you to “get over it” and move on, which seems impossible and even wrong.  Sometimes it’s easier to just withdraw, or lash out so that everyone will leave you alone.

I created this site as a resource for teens who have lost one or both of their parents.  This is a place where you can share your stories, gain strength from each other, learn how to take back your life and find healthy ways to deal with the crushing pain and the confusion of your loss.  Here you can find the information you need about how to cope with grief, what happens now and how you can eventually start to find your way back to the land of the living. 

This site is also a resource for surviving parents who are faced with “normalizing” life for their children as they grieve the loss of a partner.  May you find support, compassion, and guidance within this community.