April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. We have reposted this episode to bring awareness and give you tangible tools to speak with your kids about child abuse. Today’s guest expert is Jane Donovan, who is a child abuse prevention advocate. "And like we say in...
Episode 156 | Michele’s Story – Child loss and the sibling relationships
Podcast Show Notes
On this week’s episode of the podcast, Katie interviews Michele Benyo, a Certified Grief Specialist who helps families navigate the loss of a child with a focus on sibling relationships. Michele experienced the loss of her 6 year old son due to cancer. Michele shares how her daughter still maintained her relationship with her son in the midst of several long hospitalizations and how she processed the loss of her brother.
*trigger warning– this episode talks about loss and grief**
**Trigger warning: this episode discusses loss and bereavement**
[4:15] Michele Introduces herself
[5:47] How her career and experience with losing a child collided
[7:30] Helping families cope with grief and loss
[8:45] How her 3 year old articulated her loss
[11:40] Even at 15 months Michele’s daughter could tell something was wrong
[13:24] Her daughter came with to see her brother frequently
[15:15] The visits prepared her for reality
[17:59] There is no right way to process grief
[21:29] Her daughter was aware of the seriousness of the situation
[22:46] The radiation chemo took a toll on his body
[23:20] Learning how to say the word ‘die’
[25:40] On the plane with a family from their school
[26:55] Preparation helped her cope with his death
[28:40] Unsettling for. young children to not be aware of what is happening
[30:50] Sharing about her daughter after her son’s death
[32:31] Asking about what grade David would be in
[33:54] Middle School was challenging at times
[35:48] How her daughter adjusts her perspective and compassion through her wisdom of the loss of her brother
[37:24] Parenting from the heart
Connect with Michele
Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.
Parents, download our free parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
- Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
- Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
- Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.
Shop for your CLOC gear here.
You Might Also Like…
215: Ruptured Appendix: Emergent Surgery, 6 Days in the Hospital & Struggles to Discharge
"I've learned so much in this whole process. It's like you have a depth inside of you that resurrects as an advocate and high alert, and it lives inside of you when you need it." -Aspen, Willa's Mom In this episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor and guest...
214: Sacrifice, Advocacy, Joy: Raising a Son with End Stage Kidney Disease – The Ransome Family’s Story
"Sometimes it's really therapeutic though to remember all that you have gone through because I feel like there are times when we look at each other and I'm like how did we get here?" Taylor Ransome We're grateful for our sponsor for this episode, Nestle Health...