Caregiver Guidance: Supporting Your Family’s Grief through the Winter & Holidays

Experiencing grief during the holidays can make what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year feel like the most dreadful time of the year. The darkness of the short winter days, the stress of preparing for a season of family togetherness, and the attempts to find balance between important family traditions and new ways of moving through the holiday season often dim the lights on all the sparkle, merriment, and joy. You are not alone.

Watch this recorded 1-hour event delivered on November 6, 2025 by Camp Erin Online Manager, Kelly Petersohn, LCSW. This workshop is tailored specifically to parents and caregivers supporting youth who are grieving.

Workshop Takeaways:

• Create Space for Both Grief and Joy: Caregivers will learn how to acknowledge grief while also making room for moments of joy during the holiday & winter season, helping families navigate emotional complexity with intention and compassion.
• Set Realistic Expectations and Make a Plan: The workshop emphasizes the importance of preparing for the holidays by setting achievable goals and developing a flexible plan that honors both traditions and new ways of coping.
• Foster Family Connection and Support: Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen family bonds, support one another through shared grief, and find meaningful ways to honor and remember together.

Please watch & share this video and help us create ripples of change to support youth who are grieving.

Recommended Resources:

• Activity: Grief Talk Over the Holidays
• Holiday & Winter Season Memorial Activities
• How to Honor & Remember Someone Who Died – A Family Centered Approach

Speaker Bios:

Kelly Petersohn is the Camp Erin Online Programs Manager at Eluna, a non-profit organization with a mission to support youth and families impacted by grief or addiction. Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 14 years of service in the field of childhood bereavement; 9 years as Camp Director of Camp Erin Indy!

Sarah Behm is the Director of the Eluna Resource Center, supporting children and families impacted by grief and addiction with personalized support & resources (in Spanish and English). Specializing in trauma-informed care and social emotional learning, Sarah previously worked to reduce bullying and incorporate restorative practices. As a seasoned consultant and credentialed school counselor, Sarah believes in the power of partnering with families, frontline workers, and communities to foster unity and transformation.

Thank you:

This program is supported by The Cigna Group Foundation, a private foundation that supports organizations sharing its commitment to improve the health and vitality of individuals and the communities.