Embracing Love: A Journey of Raising Children Through Loss

Copyright 2017 – Rebecca Nietert

Parenting can often feel like an overwhelming task, especially when faced with the challenge of raising children who have experienced significant loss. As we navigate through the complexities of grief, therapy sessions have shed light on the importance of being accountable not just for our children’s well-being, but also for our own actions and examples. In this heartfelt journey, we explore the struggles of maintaining love and patience amidst sibling conflicts, and how teaching love after loss becomes our ultimate calling.

Body:

1. A New Sense of Accountability:

Therapy sessions have presented us with a unique opportunity to reflect on our experiences, as we are asked to complete homework assignments that encourage us to acknowledge and record our glad, sad, and mad moments throughout the week. This newfound accountability not only helps guide our discussions with the children, but also emphasizes the significance of setting positive role model examples for them. We realize that just getting through the day is not enough when our goal is to bring joy to children who have only known sadness.

2. Balancing Conflict and Love:

Sibling arguments and bickering can easily consume our attention, tempting us to respond with anger and immediate consequences. However, we understand that this does not effectively address the underlying need for love and connection. Teaching love after experiencing such profound loss becomes our primary focus. We are called upon by a higher power to heal and nurture, not just correct and discipline. This journey involves actively choosing patience and understanding, even when it feels difficult.

3. The Power of Patience:

Losing our patience is a common struggle faced by parents, particularly when dealing with the complexities of grief. The weight of the emotions we carry can sometimes make us feel overwhelmed, causing us to react impulsively rather than responding with love. However, we must remember that true healing and growth arise from patient and compassionate interactions. By prioritizing our children’s emotional well-being and fostering an environment of understanding, we can shape their resilience and show them the power of patience in the face of adversity.

4. Embracing Love as Our Journey:

Raising children through loss is not an easy path, but it is one that we have been called to embark upon. Our journey involves teaching love, compassion, and resilience, even in the face of immense sadness. By exemplifying these qualities, we provide our children with the tools they need to navigate their own grief and find healing. We discover that the most important lesson we can teach them is that love is not diminished by loss, but rather amplified through it.

Conclusion:

As we navigate the challenges of raising children who have experienced significant loss, we must remember that our ultimate calling is to teach them love and compassion. Through therapy sessions and self-reflection, we embrace accountability and recognize the importance of setting positive role model examples. By balancing conflict with love, practicing patience, and recognizing our journey as a path of healing and growth, we equip our children to face adversity with resilience and discover the boundless power of love.

In this journey, may love guide our actions, heal our wounds, and bring light to the lives of our precious children.