Grief and the Holidays with Jim Santucci & Beth Keller of Kara

I had such a great discussion with Jim Santucci and Beth Keller of Kara for this episode. I’ve heard from a lot of listeners with questions and worry about the upcoming holidays, so in this episode we dive deep on the topic of grief and the holidays. Some topics we cover include: Kara’s grief support services for kids and adults in the Palo Alto, California, area; Kara’s peer support volunteer program; It’s common for widowed parents to be worried about how to handle the holidays; Common stresses around holiday cards – both sending & receiving; Why traditions and rituals are comforting for kids; Why widowed parents shouldn’t be tempted to cancel Christmas; The importance of talking with your kids and teens about holiday plans rather than making assumptions and unilateral decisions; Enlisting help from family & friends with holiday decorating, baking, etc; Juggling the needs and wishes of multiple kids; Managing the expectations of other people; and Ideas for honoring and remembering our loved ones at the holidays. I hope you enjoy my discussion with Jim Santucci and Beth Keller of Kara.