Coping with the Loss of a Spouse

Dealing with the loss of a spouse can be one of the most traumatic and stressful events in a person’s life. This loss often occurs during a stage when many other changes are occurring. Children are grown and have moved away, the couple has retired and has experienced a significant change in routine, financial status may be up or down, contacts with friends and acquaintances may have been curtailed and the widow or widower’s own health may be declining.

During this time of dramatic upheaval where physical, psychological and spiritual boundaries are challenged, accepting that the grieving process will not be brief makes the whole process even more difficult. In going through this mourning period with many individuals, I have found that a period of one to two years is often necessary. The grieving process, given its length is not too extreme, is one of the most essential elements in the healing process.

Reconstructing a daily pattern of life, during the early months of grieving, can be very difficult. Many individuals find themselves alone for the first time since early adulthood. Loneliness seems intolerable and it may feel as if your only confidants are those who have experienced type of loss. Women who have lost their mates are often overwhelmed by activities they were not responsible for in the past, such as mechanical repairs and financial details.

Following are some suggestions that those suffering from the loss of a spouse might find helpful:

* Let family provide nurturance and support. Additionally, professionals such as mental health specialists, clergy and doctors can be of assistance.
* Grief and loss support groups are also extremely helpful. The opportunity to process and share feelings with others experiencing similar difficulties can be invaluable in the healing process.
* Don’t rely on your children to pave the way for you during this transition. Most children will be supportive, but will be proud and be grateful if you allow them to lead their lives while you begin to reconstruct yours.

Through pain, time and love, healing and adjustment can occur allowing the survivor to move on and into the future.


* More articles about holiday coping
* What if Someone You Know Has ADHD?
* Preparing for Grief
* Coping with Unexpected Job Loss
* Depression versus The Blues

Scientifically Reviewed
Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 9 Feb 2006

64 Ways to Say "I Love You

Don't compare them to anyone.

1. Be courteous at all times.
2. Embrace the present moments without fear or guilt.
3. Live by the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you).
4. Give your full attention when talking.
5. Become their biggest fan and cheerleader!
6. Toast each other over breakfast or dinner to say I love you.
7. Tell them how they bring love to your life.
8. Laugh about kids quotes on love or events.
9. Talk about your day during mealtimes.
10. Read books aloud together.
11. Say you're sorry.
12. Recall good and bad memories.
13. Let go of the past to say I love you.
14. Do nothing together.
15. Encourage health in all its forms.
16. Trust your partner enough to cry together.
17. Act silly together.
18. Be lavish in praise.
19. Ask questions about opinions, feelings, thoughts.
20. To say I love you, forget about labels.
21. Encourage adventures and risks!
22. Show your joy when they come home.
23. Bake cookies.
24. Leave stress at work to say I love you.
25. Use flannel sheets in the winter.
26. Solve problems together - such as crosswords or Suduku.
27. Show your gratitude for them.
28. Be a good sounding board.
29. To say I love you, take pride in them -- and show it.
30. Compliment them in front of others.
31. Spend time with them.
32. Listen.
33. Ask for hugs and kisses.
34. Take vacations together.
35. Tell the truth to say I love you.
36. Use pet names to say I love you.
37. Practice self-acceptance.
38. Hunt for treasure together.
39. Be interested in their interests.
40. To say I love you, let go of jealousy.
41. Accept their weaknesses and flaws.
42. Ditch work or responsibilities to play with them.
43. Be yourself.
44. Share chocolates, ice cream sundaes, milkshakes.
45. To say I love you, ignore slights.
46. Pray or meditate together.
47. Practice forgiveness.
48. Watch classic movies together.
49. Leave notes or send letters.
50. To say I love you, buy a "for no reason at all" gift.
51. Don't gossip or judge.
52. Give the benefit of the doubt to say I love you.
53. Give space when they're in a bad or sad mood.
54. Learn something new together.
55. Go dancing.
56. Keep your promises to say I love you.
57. Make them laugh.
58. Consider their feelings.
59. Learn ways to rekindle the romance.
60. Hide a treat in their lunch.
61. To say I love you, make home a fun place to be.
62. Let them make their own decisions.
63. Say what you mean when you say I love you. Say wh

help your child to learn math

HELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN MATH

WITH ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 13

"Why?"

This is the question we parents are always trying to answer.

It's good that children ask questions: that's the best way to learn. All children have two
wonderful resources for learning -- imagination and curiosity. As a parent, you can awaken
your children to the joy of learning by encouraging their imagination and curiosity.

'Helping Your Child Learn math' is one in a series of books on different education topics
intended to help you make the most of your child's natural curiosity. Teaching and learning
are not mysteries that can only happen in school. They also happen when parents and
children do simple things together.

For instance, you and your child can: sort socks on laundry day

-- sorting is a major function in math and science; cook a meal together -- cooking
involves not only math and science but good health as well; tell and read each other
stories -- storytelling is the basis for reading and writing (and a story about the past
is also history); or play a game together -- playing physical games will help
your child learn to count and start on a road to lifelong fitness.

By doing things together, you will show that learning is fun and important. You will be
encouraging your child to study, learn, and stay in school.

This book will give you a short rundown on facts, but the biggest part of the book is made
up of simple, fun activities for you and your child to do together. Your child may even
beg you to do them.

"The first teachers are the parents, both by example and conversation. But don't think of
it as teaching. Think of it as fun."

So, let's get started. I invite you to find an activity in this book and try it.

Contents

1. Foreword

2.Introduction

3.The Basics

4.Important Things To Know

5.math in the Home

6.Picture Puzzle

7.More or Less

8.Problem Solvers

9.Card Smarts

10. Fill It Up

11. Half Full, Half Empty

12. Name that Coin

13. Money Match

14. Money's Worth

15. In the News

16. Look It Up

17. Newspaper Search

18. Treasure Hunt

19. Family Portrait

20. Mathland: The Supermarket

21. Get Ready

22. Scan It

23. Weighing In

24. Get into Shapes

25. Check Out

26. It's in the Bag

27. Put It Away

28. Math on the Go

29. Number Search

30. License Plates

31. Total It

32. How Long? How Far?

Guess If You Can
to order this wondeful e book, mail to netfreebies@yahoo.com or 08087639726 sms only please