LibraryScenariosWhy grieving living parents feels impossible to explain
Scenario

Why grieving living parents feels impossible to explain

I'm estranged from my toxic family and everyone asks when I'm going to forgive them, but I'm actually grieving the parents I needed and never had.

Mira
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Choosing estrangement from harmful family requires mourning both the relationship and the dream of who they might have been.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Disenfranchised grief — when loss isn't recognized?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.