“We are getting a divorce.” It’s a sentence every parent hopes to avoid, but separation and divorce happen. In fact, Arkansas has the second highest divorce rate in the country. When the family unit is disrupted, the children involved often feel as if their world has been turned upside down. During this period, you can expect your child(ren) to experience a wide array of emotions including anger, sadness, blame, etc. As a parent, it’s imperative that you allow your child(ren) the time to process their emotions and create a safe place for them to ask questions and disclose fears about the future. 

Over the past several decades the number of Americans struggling with eating disorders has steadily increased. A study published in 2011 indicates that approximately 20 million females and 10 million males in this country struggle with some form of an eating disorder. 

Grief is personal and affects everyone differently. For the child and adolescent population, grief is often complex to identify. Common symptoms include sadness, anger, numbness, irritability, defiance, mood irregularity, depression and anxiety.

For parents, the first step in helping your child overcome grief is recognizing that all behavior is purposeful. Studies indicate that the part of the brain associated with emotional regulation is not fully developed until early adulthood. Therefore, children experience, process, and respond to emotions differently.