The death of a spouse is a complicated experience in a family. Understanding the circumstances of the loss is part of the family's healing process. The current qualitative phenomenological study builds on the existing studies by focusing on the lived experience of parents as they transition to single parenthood. Six individuals participated in this study. Data analysis revealed 5 themes related to the change to single parenting after the loss of the spouse including the need to revision the parenting role and the role of support. The study has implications for the design of interventions and groups following the death of a spouse.

No abstract

No abstract

The impact of a loss is felt throughout the family system with the parent-child relationship being particularly vulnerable. The experience of The Mount Carmel Hospice Evergreen Center with a parenting program is presented. Responding to the expressed concerns of grieving parents, a time-limited parenting group was held. The quantitative and qualitative results of that experience are presented. In addition to normalizing the experience of parenting grieving children, the group provided the opportunity for parents to enhance skills and learn about the need to respect the individuality and uniqueness of the grief work of the child.