Topics may include anything from how to answer your children’s questions, to how to ask for help from family and friends.  Not only will you find sensitivity and kindness from this group, but you will also be meeting other parents who are struggling with the adjustment to the new reality of life without your loved ones.

We meet at the house in Arlington from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Please RSVP to kim@childrensroom.org to help us best prepare for the meeting. Light refreshments will be served. We apologize that we are not able to offer childcare at this time. We look forward to welcoming you to any or all of our drop-in discussions!

Please join us for an evening of conversation around the topic of helping your teenager through their loss. Alumni parents, current parents, and waitlist parents are all welcome, as well as anyone interested in joining the discussion around this topic.

RSVP by emailing info@childrensroom.org.  The group meets at The Children’s Room, 1210 Mass Ave, Arlington.

1. Bereavement Camps for Kids: Benefits and Challenges – February 1, 1:00-2:30pm ET
2. Bereaved Children & Adolescents: Lessons from Research – April 14, 1:00-2:30pm ET
3. Grieving Children & Adolescents: The Role of Internet Support – June 15, 1:00-2:30pm ET

The series will be hosted by nationally-known expert Kenneth Doka, Senior Bereavement Consultant to HFA.  The webinars will look at lessons learned, emerging trends, and how to use bereavement camps and other strategies to best serve grieving children in their communities.

For more information about topics, speakers, fees, and registration, please visit the HFA website page for Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Grief & Loss Webinars.

We are also very proud to announce that the Hospice Foundation of America will be featuring artwork from The Children’s Room in their companion book and program for their 2010 National Bereavement Teleconference – Living with Grief: Cancer and End-of-Life Care.  To see the program cover, you can visit the HFA Teleconference page.

The Hospice Foundation of America provides education and information to help people cope with terminal illness, death, and the process of grief.  They offer resources for both professionals and individuals including brochures, books, dvds, webinars, and courses.

Please RSVP to kim@childrensroom.org to help us best prepare for these meetings. Light refreshments will be served. We apologize that we are not able to offer childcare at this time.  Come join us on: January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, and May 12. We will be meeting at the house in Arlington from 7:00-8:30 pm.

We look forward to welcoming you to any or all of our drop-in discussions!

The Children’s Room Parents Council, a group of program alumni who are dedicated to our mission and to the support of peers, is offering a Sunday Night Discussion Series to create a forum for these conversations.  These discussions are open to the public, and there is no fee to attend.  We just ask that you RSVP.

All discussion groups will meet from 6:30-8:00 at our house in Arlington.  The next 2 topics in the series are:

Getting Through the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One: November 8th
Holding on to traditions or letting go? How about creating “new” traditions? Come hear how others have found ways to get through some of the most difficult days and situations.

Dating and/or Remarriage After the Loss of a Spouse: January 10th
Listen to and discuss with others the complex issues around this decision — from finding the time to date, to bringing the children into the new relationship, to merging households.

Upcoming Discussions:
Helping Your Teenagers Through the Loss of  a Loved One: March 7
Your Changing Relationship to Your In-Laws After the Loss of Your Spouse: May 2

Please visit our calendar for a complete schedule.
For more information or to RSVP for a Discussion, please send email to info@childrensroom.org.

Michelle writes how this mirror her own experience in high school when her friend died in a car accident.  Michelle offers solid advice such as

Don’t ever invalidate the teenager! They do not want to hear things like “you will feel better tomorrow” or “you have been grieving for a week, time to move on”.  Kids need to feel safe and secure to grieve in whatever way feels right to them.

This is especially true when teens have a strong reaction to the death of someone they may not have been close to.  Adults may be confused as to why they were so deeply affected by someone they didn’t know.  Read Michelle’s full post.

All proceeds will benefit the CEF Foundation which supports child water safety programs and Christians Angels.

On July 13, 2007 4-year-old Christian drowned at a local town-run camp. The family started a non-profit organization to provide life jackets and floating devices to all children at all camps, lakes, beaches and pools across the state of Massachusetts as well as passing Christians Law which requires all Massachusetts Town and City run camps to require children to wear USCG approved Life Jackets. Christians Angels provides financial assistance to families in need after the death of a child.

Please Contact the CEF Foundation if you would like to play or sponsor a hole:

Contact information:  781-835-5071 or 781-439-4067

Or visit:  www.ceffoundation.org to register or for more information.

Donations can be made to:
Christian E. Frechette Memorial Fund (Tax I.D. : 042-155-342)
P.O. Box 189
Fiskdale, MA 01518

Phyllis has a new book available which she co-wrote with Madelyn Kelly called: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Grieving Children: Rebuilding Your Family after the Death of a Loved One.