Parenting the Forgotten Mourners. Caring for Siblings Amidst a Family Life Marked by Child Loss to Cancer

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to examine the experiences of bereaved parents when parenting a bereaved sibling following the loss of a child to cancer in Switzerland. For this secondary analysis, we interviewed 19 bereaved parents who together had 25 surviving siblings. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed that many parents recognized that their grief could have a negative impact on their surviving children. They expressed uncertainty and sometimes regret about their changed approach to parenting. They sought support from healthcare professionals and schools, but encountered barriers, particularly the grief illiteracy of teachers. Parents recognized sibling grief as a lifelong process. To help their children cope, they continued parenting both their deceased child and their surviving children. Healthcare professionals can support parents by sharing insights into the parenting experiences of other bereaved families. They should also consider how siblings’ grief responses change over time. There is a need for more grief-sensitive educational environments.