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Brothers, Sisters, Strangers

Sibling estrangement and the road to reconciliation.

Family Dynamics
Can Prince Harry and Prince William Reconcile?

Fern Schumer Chapman on June 14, 2022

The royal brothers seemed frosty toward each other at the Jubilee celebrations. Reconciliation will require commitment, goodwill, listening, and mindfulness.

The royal brothers seemed frosty toward each other at the Jubilee celebrations. Reconciliation will require commitment, goodwill, listening, and mindfulness.

Grief
The Five Stages of Grief for an Estranged Sibling

Fern Schumer Chapman on May 12, 2022

With respect to the famous psychologist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the five stages of grief for a death differ from the five stages of grief for a sibling estrangement.

With respect to the famous psychologist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the five stages of grief for a death differ from the five stages of grief for a sibling estrangement.

Family Dynamics
Mothers of Estranged Siblings May Suffer on Mother’s Day

Fern Schumer Chapman on May 3, 2022

Mother's Day may not be so happy for parents who have estranged children; many hope to sustain relationships with all of their children, but they often get caught in the crossfire.

Mother's Day may not be so happy for parents who have estranged children; many hope to sustain relationships with all of their children, but they often get caught in the crossfire.

Family Dynamics
5 Moments When Siblings Are Most at Risk of Estrangement

Fern Schumer Chapman on April 21, 2022

Siblings are vulnerable to estrangement during certain life stages including adolescence, marriage, the birth of a baby, divorce or illness, parental illness, death or inheritance.

Siblings are vulnerable to estrangement during certain life stages including adolescence, marriage, the birth of a baby, divorce or illness, parental illness, death or inheritance.

Children fleeing Nazi Germany. Neck tags identified who they were, where they came from, where they were going
Trauma
Child Refugees Struggle With Mental Health

Fern Schumer Chapman on April 14, 2022

At 96, my mother still struggles with traumas from her childhood immigration journey as an unaccompanied minor. The Ukrainian child refugees likely will have the same struggles.

At 96, my mother still struggles with traumas from her childhood immigration journey as an unaccompanied minor. The Ukrainian child refugees likely will have the same struggles.

Family Dynamics
The Pain of Ambiguous Family Estrangement

Fern Schumer Chapman on February 22, 2022

Did a sibling cut you off? Estrangements can be ambiguous, and some wonder if a brother or sister is controlling the thermostat of intimacy in their sibling relationship.

Did a sibling cut you off? Estrangements can be ambiguous, and some wonder if a brother or sister is controlling the thermostat of intimacy in their sibling relationship.

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May 2023
Find Your Path Forward

Hope is double-edged, false hope can set you on a collision course with despair. Know when your hopes are well-founded and how to turn your deep desires into results.

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