Coping with parenting anxiety after a loss

Psychotherapist Amy Luster, MA, MFT, shares advice for parents who have lost a child on how to overcome the heightened sense of anxiety toward parenting the other children
Loss Of A Child - Coping With Parenting Anxiety After A Loss
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Coping with parenting anxiety after a loss

Comment
121
Like
121
Transcription: 
After experiencing the loss of a child, it is very common for a parent to have a heightened sense of anxiety toward parenting their other children. Be patient with yourself. Parenting comes with many moments and experiences of anxiety normally, whether your infant has an incredibly high fever, your child’s nose bleed that seems like it’s never going to end, teaching your child street safety or awareness of the strangers. All of this is compounded after a parent has lost a child. Be aware of other areas where anxiety may be at work coming from your past loss, such as when a teacher lets a parent know, perhaps their child is having trouble reading, or you compare your child to peers and think maybe there’s a delay in some manner with your child. Be aware if your feelings are colored from your past loss, or if this is just a normal stage of parenting. If you feel that this comes from your prior loss, take action to support yourself whether it’s reading books that will be helpful to you, talking with other parents who have gone through a similar loss, joining a support group or seeking a therapist who can provide support to you during these times.

Psychotherapist Amy Luster, MA, MFT, shares advice for parents who have lost a child on how to overcome the heightened sense of anxiety toward parenting the other children

Related Videos

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Amy Luster, MA, MFT

Psychotherapist

Amy Luster, MA, is a psychotherapist and author. She holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. She runs a group entitled, Parenting After a Loss which offers support, guidance, and education. Her emphasis is on assisting parents who have experienced a child-bearing loss whether from ongoing infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby. Her goal is to help families function in a healthy, satisfying way despite their past loss. Amy, her husband and their four children live in Santa Monica, CA. 

More Parenting Videos from Amy Luster, MA, MFT >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter
  Listen or Watch
Must See First Year Videos
Three important rules about your baby's first foods
First year milestones
Postnatal depression and loneliness advice
Baby losing interest in nursing
The importance of spending quality time during early childhood
Narrating an infant's environment
Research based benefits of co-sleeping
Bonding versus attachment
Bonding with your baby after a less-than-perfect birth
Preventing postpartum depression
Play All 34 Videos
Featured Experts: Alan Greene, MD, Lawrence Kagan, MD, Barbara Olinger, MSW
More Playlists >
Transcription: 
After experiencing the loss of a child, it is very common for a parent to have a heightened sense of anxiety toward parenting their other children. Be patient with yourself. Parenting comes with many moments and experiences of anxiety normally, whether your infant has an incredibly high fever, your child’s nose bleed that seems like it’s never going to end, teaching your child street safety or awareness of the strangers. All of this is compounded after a parent has lost a child. Be aware of other areas where anxiety may be at work coming from your past loss, such as when a teacher lets a parent know, perhaps their child is having trouble reading, or you compare your child to peers and think maybe there’s a delay in some manner with your child. Be aware if your feelings are colored from your past loss, or if this is just a normal stage of parenting. If you feel that this comes from your prior loss, take action to support yourself whether it’s reading books that will be helpful to you, talking with other parents who have gone through a similar loss, joining a support group or seeking a therapist who can provide support to you during these times.