Father's Day After Loss: Grieving and Remembering Dad
Briefly

Father's Day can trigger grief, especially for those who have lost their father, making avoidance difficult. Instead of ignoring the holiday, it can be reframed as Remembrance Day, allowing individuals to honor and reflect on their fathers in a personal way. This can include creating rituals such as writing letters, volunteering, or revisiting shared memories. Planning ahead and leaning on support from others can also make the emotional burden of this holiday lighter as connection helps in dealing with grief.
As a family scholar who studies fathers, I've noticed a pattern: Father's Day is often the one time of year media outlets reach out to talk about dads.
But avoiding Father's Day is easier said than done. Storefront displays, targeted ads, greeting cards, and social media posts all serve as constant reminders.
Instead of trying to ignore the day, it may help to gently acknowledge it. Father's Day will come, and it may be hard.
Looking through old photos, writing a letter, or simply sitting with your memories can all be ways to reframe the holiday into something more meaningful.
Read at Psychology Today
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