HIT: Semantics regarding death of a child

["Michael S. Kantor" <mjkantor@mc.net>]

A week or so ago I requested info. regarding what a parent who has lost
a child would be called.  (A man who has lost a wife is a widower, etc.
. .)  More than a few of you wrote and asked that I share that
information if I should find out.  One of our friends wrote that a
parent who has lost a child is and will always be....a parent.  Of
course that's accurate, but still doesn't offer those parents a
sensitive way to share their situation without having to actually say
the words,  "My child has died."  I regret that I was unable to obtain a
correct term for these parents.   I even contacted associations that
would be privy to that info. and did not receive feedback yet.
     So.....what better group to initiate the new word?  I would be
interested in any compassionate / creative ideas this group might
suggest.  Since it seems that there is no official name for this
unfortunate group, perhaps we can put our heads together and offer them
a way to describe themselves in a respectful and identifiable way.
Please remember in your suggestions that many of our friends here in
this listserv are also in the category of having lost someone so
precious to them.  I appreciate the responses I received and the many
kind comments that were shared.


Jane Kantor
Media Specialist - Leggee Elementary School
District 158
Huntley, IL
mjkantor@mc.net

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu   In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=