The Pain of Parental Separation

Parental separation is a subject that is rarely discussed. When infants are separated from their parents, they cry. Separation causes anxiety from all ages. The pain of parental separation can be examined and ways of coping can be suggested. Let’s examine parental separation in some categories.

The teen that is finally going away to college; yeah! Well, this synopsis sounds wonderful but most teens experience major anxiety in that first year being separated from their parents. It becomes more and more apparent that they have to depend on themselves for physical and emotional support. Yes, they can make that phone call and ask for financial support, but what about those impromptu chats that happen? Those talks between teen and parent where they can get answers to their questions that they can’t Google? This is a definite anxiety. Nothing is more reassuring than approval from the parents.

Emotional Separation

Adults experience parental separation on a different scale. When a parent has to be sent to assisted living or a convalescent home, the adult faces the emotional trauma of having to part with the parent or parents. This is a painful but necessary parental separation. One solution to ease the pain of this type of parental separation is to plan consistent visits and make each visit special for both individuals.

Parental Separation Due to Death

The ultimate parental separation pain is parental separation due to death. This pain can’t be reduced, denied or replaced. Coping with this ultimate separation requires a determined effort to heal from the loss of the parent and/or parents.

Some suggestions to help in this healing process can include:

• A positive mental memorial of the parent(s). Remember the good times.
• A new lease on life due to their parting. Make every moment you have left count; your parent(s) would want that for you!
• Have a dedicated “mourning” period. It’s okay to cry!
• Talk to someone and don’t mourn alone. Isolation is detrimental in dealing with parental separation.

The pain won’t go away overnight, but there are ways to ease the pain as listed above. There is nothing that can replace the loss, but the realization that your life is represented by them and how you live the rest of your life will help you to cope with the pain of separation. This realization should always be viewed in a positive aspect. Look at what you can do to be a better parent so that parental separation can be easier. Helping your children grow up and learn the ability to cope in life in case they have to experience this type of parental loss can help both parent and child cope better.

Looking for a divorce lawyer in Toronto? Do your research, because not every lawyer is versed in the aspects of family law you may require.