Have you considered the feelings and emotions of parents whose children emigrate?
In this episode I talk to Dr Sulette Ferreira, a migration therapist specializing in emigration therapy for families living apart. We discuss the emotional challenges faced by families, particularly parents left behind when children emigrate.
Sulette highlights the concept of ambiguous loss, the importance of maintaining relationships across distances, and the need for community support. She emphasizes that emigration affects family dynamics and that parents often experience grief and longing for their children. The conversation also touches on the importance of seeking professional help and maintaining a positive relationship with children who have emigrated.
The conversation was interesting, and it made me appreciate caring for those who remain behind.
Sulette Ferreira: "Ambiguous loss is a continuous loss."
Chapters
00:00 Navigating emigration and Family Dynamics
03:23 Understanding the Emotional Impact of emigration
08:11 The Complexities of Long-Distance Relationships
12:40 Grief and Ambiguous Loss in emigration
17:01 The Role of Community and Support Systems
21:53 Financial and Logistical Challenges of emigration
26:36 Finding Meaning and Maintaining Relationships
33:47 Actionable Advice for Parents Left Behind
Dr Sulette can be contacted at www.drsulette.com. She is also on Facebook as Dr Sulette Ferreira and she has a private Facebook group for parents who stay behind “Worlds apart living in one heart”
Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at jan@therelocatedsouthafrican.com